Finnish Design Unwrapped opens a series of 12 exhibitions at Design Gallery

The exhibition entitled Finnish Design Unwrapped showcases the most interesting Finnish design of the moment through selected design objects and photos by photographer Jani Kaila.

The exhibition at the Design Museum Design Gallery 12, running 4–29 January 2012, depicts designers in various situations: at work, at leisure in nature, and at their sources of inspiration.

“I wanted to understand how designers work and relax; where they get their ideas. I photographed them as freely as possible, in the settings each felt was their own. Preserving a natural atmosphere was important, because I want the audience to sense how the environment is mirrored in the designer's choices. The process of photographing was very rewarding for me, because I got to know the designers personally and learned to understand their work and working processes”, says Jani Kaila.

Kaila has chosen minimalistic dead wood and modernised felt shoes alongside the modern array of objects – furniture, lighting, art installations, glass and ceramics. State-of-the-art technology is represented by the speakers designed by Harri Koskinen for Genelec. There are also several design objects made from recycled materials.

“I wanted to display the products as alive as possible, so that their essence is revealed. It was amazing to see glass taking shape in the hands of an experienced glassblower, to watch the creation of a ceramic object and shoe-making. I hope the inspiration that is at the source of the design objects also comes across to the viewer through my photos”, Jani Kaila says.

The Unwrapped exhibitors are Stefan Lindfors, Harri Koskinen, Ilkka Suppanen, Tapio Anttila, Mikko Paakkanen, Rane Vaskivuori, Jonas Hakaniemi, Markku Salo, Anu Penttinen, Aki Choklat, Julia Lundsten, Maria Jauhiainen, Lotta Veromaa, Mika Tolvanen, Nathalie Lahdenmäki, Jatta Lavi, Veera Kulju, Päivi Raivio and Tuomas Ervamaa.

Varied programme on offer during WDC Helsinki 2012

The series of monthly exhibitions of products from Finnish and foreign frontline designers is part of  the Design Museum’s 2012 offerings, all of which form part of the WDC Helsinki 2012 programme. The exhibitions are accompanied by a wealth of different workshops and events, and they showcase themes and points of interest currently afoot in design through 12 exhibitions.