Hanami

Cherry blossoms and Japanese Hanami today in Helsinki

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Tänään juhlittiin kirsikankukkia

Garden gnomes protesting

Nearly two hundred garden gnomes are protesting in the middle of Helsinki today demanding attention to  gardens and beautiful and greener living areas. Funny and creative event is organized by furniture company Vepsäläinen.

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Noin kaksisataa puutarhatonttua osoittaa parasta aikaa mieltään Kolmen sepän patsaalla Helsingin keskustassa kauniimpien puutarhojen ja pihojen puolesta. Hauskan tempauksen takana on huonekaluliike Vepsäläinen.

Helsinki, my love

Aamu Song and Johan Olin have created a series of products representing Helsinki-landmarks such as the water tower cups, subway scarf and warehouse toolbox. All products are also manufactured in Helsinki and sold in Salakauppa.

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Aamu Songin ja Johan Olinin suunnittelemat tuotteet saavat minut aina hyvälle tuulelle. Helsinki-sarjan tuotteet muistuttavat hauskasti kaupungin arkipäivän maamerkkejä kuten metroa tai vesitornia. Ne on kaikki myös valmistettu Helsingissä ja myynnissä Salakaupassa.

Raw beauty

November is usually ruthless with endless rain and cold winds. It is also my month. I was born in November and I have always loved the beauty of nature before it surrenders to winter. Shades of brown and grey can be so pretty and so calming.

The circus is in town

I had forgotten how enchanting and colorful the circus is! I don't even remember the last time I went to a circus but now I enjoyed a lovely evening there on Tuesday.

Helsinki in October

One of my all time favourite painters, Osmo Rauhala, has an exhibition in Kiasma. 

Book of life in Kiasma 28.9.2012-13.1.2013, Mannerheiminaukio 2, Helsinki. Open everyday except Mondays.

Design Forum Shop dedicates October to children. Take the kids along and take part in several special events or just admire the design made especially for children.
Kids at Design Forum Shop 6.10-10.11.2012, Erottajankatu 7, Helsinki, Open Mon-Fri 10-19, Sat 10-18.

Lolo & Roro

Lolo & Roro is a 10-year anniversary exhibition of the degree program of Applied Art and Design in Aalto University. The great surroundings together with the latest work of young designers as well as works from alumni provide a super great experience. I recommend making a trip to the Port Warehouse.

Lolo & Roro 31.8.-30.9.2012 at Port Warehouse, Jätkäsaari, Helsinki

Open Mon-Fri 14-18, Sat-Sun 12-18

Co-create with Lego

I went to see the white Lego towers made by Icelandic-Danish architect group Krads. The towers are smaller than I expected but nevertheless impressive. If you have time, make a trip to Cable factory to see them. The towers made me wonder where to get only white Lego blocks?  I was told that at least Lego-shop in Copenhagen sells all colours separately.

Co-create with Lego at Cable Factory, Helsinki 12.-16.9.2012

Helsinki in September

September is always a hectic month in the design field and I have been a little slow with this but here it finally is, my calendar for September:

World Design Capital Helsinki 2012’s main exhibition, Everyday Discoveries – International
Design House Exhibition takes place in Suvilahti. Hundreds of designers from 23 countries have contributed to the exhibition that also spreads to the outdoor container village. The exhibition offers concrete examples of design solutions that different countries have for the same everyday situations. The free exhibition is open 6.9-16.9.2012 Mon-Fri 12-20, Sat-Sun 10-18 at Suvilahti, Helsinki.

Photographer Ola Kolehmainen and designer Harri Koskinen both have their individual exhibitions in Galerie Forsblom starting September 14th.
Galerie Forsblom 14.9-14.10.2012, Lönnrotinkatu 5, Helsinki. Open Mon-Fri 11-18, Sat 11-16 and Sun
12-16.

Icelandic-Danish architectural studio Krads will come to town and create fantastic landscapes with 200 000 Lego blocks and transform the Cable Factory into an expansive Lego construction site. 

Open the tower 12.9-16.9.2012 at Cable Factory, Tallberginkatu 1, Helsinki. Open Thu-Fri 11-19, Sat-Sun 11-17.

Food meets art at G.W. Sundmans when chef Matti Jämsen and eight artists combine their talent. Unique art pieces form a setup for the exquisite food.

G.W. Sundmans 11.9. - 11.11.2012, Eteläranta 16, Helsinki.

Beauty of wood

Beautiful wooden sculptures in the middle of urban Helsinki.

Helsinki in August

It seems there are always so many exhibitions and things happening in Helsinki, that it becomes hard to remember everything. I decided to start a monthly calendar of design events for me and you to remember. Here is what's going on in August:

Tomás Saraceno will come to town and create his famous web of 23 000 knots in Helsinki. It will be a 'must-see'.
Tomás Saraceno 18.8-3.10 in Kunsthalle Helsinki, Open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 11-18, Wednesday 11-20, Saturday-Sunday 11-17, Nervanderinkatu 3, Helsinki.

Yrjö Kukkapuro, known for his furniture design, will open his unique studio and home to the public for the first time. What a great opportunity to see a unique home and his fabulous work! Home is located just a short train ride away in Kauniainen.
Ateljee Kukkapuro, 1.8.–30.9. Open Wednesday to Friday 11–17, Saturday-Sunday 11–15,
Alppitie 23, Kauniainen

Young Blood Collective opens a Pop-up showroom and cafe today in Katajanokka. It gives an opportunity to get to know the works of Jaakko Nikkola, Thomas Welander, Robin Falck and Vertti Sarimaa, all design graduates from Aalto University. Funky Ujo-bar chair is one of their works.
Design Pop-up 1.-15.8. Open daily 10-18, Satamakatu 5, Helsinki.

Tools in Highlight Gallery exhibits lighting designs inspired by tools. All the lights are designed and created by Lahti-based Muoto 2 design studio. 

Tools 3.8.-9.9. Open Saturdays and Sundays 12-16, Mannerheimintie 37, Helsinki.

Flow Festival will ones again transform Suvilahti area into one big party zone and present the latest on electronic music. One of Flow's highlights is Björk who brings her show to the main stage on Sunday. 

Flow Festival 8.-12.8, Suvilahti, Helsinki.

Helsinki FWRD Fashion Village is a showcase of Finnish fashion in the heart of the city. You can shop for brands such as Lumi, Aiku Design, Costo, Ivana Helsinki and Katri/n to name a few and take part in different events. 4.8-18.8 Senate Square, Helsinki

Helsinki beyond dreams

 

Helsinki beyond dreams is a new book about interesting urban culture and events created by inhabitants. Restaurant day is a great example of the events. I'm happy to be living in a city that becomes more open and innovative each day!

Helsinki made of wood

These wooden Helsinki blocks are designed  by Kokoro&Moi in the honour of World Design Capital year. The blocks represent the city's important landmarks. They come in a small fabric bag just like Muji's famous city blocks but are bigger and colourful. Helsinki blocks can bought at least from the Pavillion and Design Forum Shop. I just couldn't resist them...

Day in Käpylä

Käpylä is one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Helsinki. I have lived there and could move back any day. There is a large area of beautiful wooden houses built in the 1920's and an active community. They organize a 'village fair' once a year and today was the day. We spent the whole day browsing through flea market tables, listening to music and enjoying the sunny day. Our day ended with a visit to Käpylä's own antique shop Wanha Käpy. It is one of my favorite shops and a great place for vintage lovers.

Find your story

Beautiful images from my hometown Helsinki. Special small moments in life. These pictures are from a short film by director Miikka Lommi for YLE, Finland's national broadcasting company. Produced by Kennel Helsinki.

Watch the film here:

https://vimeo.com/38775974

Hooray for Helsinki!

This book is great! It is published by Tammi both in Finnish and English and it was released for the ongoing design capital year. It's a children's book including a story about a family's summer day out in Helsinki. It is also a book for anyone interested in Finnish design. There is plenty of information about designers, famous Finnish brands and interesting stories behind Helsinki's architecture.