Iittala Enters New Era With an Opus on Glass

Iittala’s refresh, nay reassertion as an auteur of artistry in glass can solely be described as an opus for the heritage glassmaker hailing from Finland, circa 1881. The event – a 12 months within the making – is marked by a tantalizing audio-visual exhibition celebrating new artistic path, the discharge of an up to date brand, and two new collections with a shocking collaboration that showcases solely a sliver of the enchantment to come back. The mixed efforts of all individuals concerned place the corporate and its prospects for a jubilant future stuffed with play by way of pioneering craft.

Janni Vepsäläinen

The Chief

Avant-garde in method, an prosperous ideator, and at all times on-the-go. Janni Vepsäläinen, the newly appointed artistic director at Iittala, brings her artistic dexterity from the world of luxurious trend to shatter the preconception that tumbler – a medium seemingly inflexible compared to textiles – will be simply as enjoyable. “As a result of I don’t come from the standard design business, on this case that of product, I really feel this disruptive urge. And since I don’t know what’s anticipated… I don’t know what’s the traditional means of doing issues… I’m naturally following my instinct,” Vepsäläinen admits. “Once I began engaged on this, I delved into the archives. I regarded on the most treasured items of their design historical past and shortly realized that this stuff got here from avant-garde, expressive, and boundary breaking pondering. And that to me was the main imaginative and prescient.” In a time of novelty items, commodified providers, and in some international locations a throw-away tradition, to study from historical past is way extra radical than reinvention.

Photograph: Julia Viklund

The Label

As a part of its ongoing evolution, Vepsäläinen tasked graphic designer Aleksi Tammi to create a customized typeface for the brand new brand, which was accomplished by typographer Göran Söderström, beneath Tammi’s path. However it could be remiss to label Iittala’s contemporized wordmark and refreshed visible collateral a “rebrand” when this too is knowledgeable by, and builds on, nicely over a century’s value of storied existence. Drawing from historic variations, they mixed the ligatures discovered atop “T,” centered the logotype across the letter “A,” and added the 12 months of the corporate’s founding at a decreased scale permitting for the phrase above to cantilever over both sides. Significantly compelling is the way in which by which the characters tow the road between kind kinds – clearly up to date in show whereas flirting with the thought of getting serifs. Collectively, the 2 created a personality set that aligns with the model’s new artistic imaginative and prescient, continued values, and evolving expression.

The Launch

With this new management on the helm, Iittala enters an period of play in a medium usually neglected by being branded far too delicate for enjoyment. In an effort to strengthen their dedication to craftsmanship, artistic innovation, and the craftspeople who notice their designs, Vepsäläinen invited one other interdisciplinary disruptor into the sector to assist train these muscle groups. Damsel Elysium, a London-based experimental sound and visible artist, lent their pipes and a plethora of devices on this convergence of artwork, design, and experience at a rare scale. Roughly 5 tales deep in Swedish bedrock on the KTH Royal Institute of Know-how’s Reactor Corridor – a defunct nuclear bunker turned museum and analysis middle – company adopted a winding footpath passing piles of sand with objects from Iittala’s latest choices.

Alongside the preliminary journey weary vacationers had the chance to see parts from PLAY, the primary assortment designed by Vepsäläinen because the model’s artistic director. Slated to launch this March, the vary contains glass objects, tableware, textiles, and even candles artfully designed in pastels. The shapes are up to date with out being austere, glazed in saccharine hues that appear to be eye sweet. Each cup, bowl, vase, and throw appeared put aside with care as if a baby had stopped mid-play to relaxation with an intent to proceed later – virtually inviting public participation. And this interprets to fashionable utility as every kind accommodates new, usually informal eating habits with edges that cater consuming meals holding the dish with one hand whereas chatting on the telephone, studying, or watching TV. Objects may function tabletop accents and trinket trays.

Photograph: Julia Viklund

Photograph: Julia Viklund

Photograph: Julia Viklund

Photograph: Julia Viklund

Photograph: Julia Viklund

Photograph: Julia Viklund

Photograph: Julia Viklund

The procession culminated as guests had been launched into probably the most voluminous house of the bunker to view a reside efficiency by Damsel Elysium who demonstrated how musicality is intrinsic to glass – fairly actually – taking part in every artifact like an instrument. Artistry In Glass launched this month, and used within the showcase, included numerous horns, bells, and bottles that borrowed natural shapes in dazzling tones like mild lilac, peachy pink, purple, and clear. Six distinctive items from this set will probably be obtainable for buy in March as nicely.

Photograph: Julia Viklund

Photograph: Julia Viklund

Photograph: Julia Viklund

Photograph: Julia Viklund

The Lesson

Respect for one’s dwelling quarters and belongings transcends financial worth. Some individuals discover dwelling equipment of any form to be litter whereas others merely don’t care. However those that need to reside superbly will discover worth in each funding. “Residence for every of us is such a private house and I don’t assume we speak sufficient about self-expression round that. As a result of clearly with trend it’s so clear,” Vepsäläinen provides. “However I feel within the dwelling we simply have to put money into tiny treasures that stick with us. Multi-functionality is tremendous essential to me. I feel at the least one single piece must one way or the other serve a twin objective… With Iittala there’s this concept {that a} cup isn’t just a cup, it has a number of completely different functions. And that actually pursuits me.”

To study extra about Iittala, go to iittala.com.

With skilled levels in structure and journalism, Joseph has a want to make dwelling superbly accessible. His work seeks to complement the lives of others with visible communication and storytelling by way of design. Beforehand a daily contributor to titles beneath the SANDOW Design Group, together with Luxe and Metropolis, Joseph now serves the Design Milk staff as their Managing Editor. When not working towards, he teaches visible communication, idea, and design. The New York-based author has additionally contributed to exhibitions hosted by the AIA New York’s Middle for Structure and Architectural Digest, and just lately printed essays and collage illustrations with Proseterity, a literary publication.