This enduring legacy is now brought to life in the new Artek + Marimekko collection, released during Artek’s 90th anniversary year. The collection merges Marimekko’s art of printmaking with Artek’s technology of wood bending. Timeless Aalto classics, in the shape of Stool 60, Bench 153B and Table 90D, are reimagined with bold patterns from Marimekko’s Arkkitehti series in a way that is subtle yet striking. 

Distinct design philosophies with shared values

The three patterns featured – Lokki, Kivet and Seireeni— are all creations of Maija Isola who shared creative affinities with the Aaltos. Her love of travel taking her around the world, absorbing inspiration everywhere she went. Her ability to find beauty in the everyday echoes Aino Aalto’s design philosophy, with natural forms and materials entering into the patterns used in the collection. Lokki references the reflection of summer light in the folds of a curtain, while Kivet is thought to be inspired by the big rough-edged stones cleared from grounds of Isola’s atelier home.

Isola once said that “industrial art requires free art on its side to stay alive”, capturing the tension and synergy between functionality and artistic expression. This dynamic is of course present in Alvar Aalto’s experiments in wood bending that he carried out in the late 1920s and early 1930s, leading to the “L-leg” that forms the basis for the Artek + Marimekko furniture pieces.
 

While Isola’s patterns were filled with bold colours, the surprise in this collection lies in their reinterpretation. The vibrant designs are presented entirely in the natural tones of Finnish birch, using a marquetry technique that allows the patterns to emerge through contrasting wood grains. As one moves around the furniture, light interacts with the pattern in unexpected ways, inviting tactile engagement in the home environment.

Design for everyone 

This playful reinterpretation of two distinct identities with shared values reflects the way both Artek and Marimekko have brought fashion and design to a wide audience. Marimekko’s architectural and clean-lined silhouettes also revolutionised the perception of clothing in the 1950s. The freeing dress silhouettes paired with bold patterns became an instant success among free-spirited women of all ages. 

Artek, meanwhile, has brought design into everyday life, with its furniture found everywhere from day care centres to public libraries throughout the world. 

Though their aesthetics differ, both brands share a commitment to human-centric design, bringing designs that stand the test of time, and remain as current today as they were when created. Artek + Marimekko is a reminder that design, at its best, is a conversation. It can be a creative dialogue that results in a furniture collection. It can also be simply a heartfelt note from one visionary to another.