Finnish modernist furniture company Artek has long been known for their timeless, innovative and eco-minded designs. At Milan 2008, Artek is celebrating their sustainable ideology and the 75th anniversary of Alvar Aalto’s iconic Stool 60 at Salone Internazionale del Mobile. They are presenting the new Stool 60 collection and Sense of Sustainability in Milan this week, furthering their commitment to quality, continuity and a deeply ingrained ecological awareness.
Modernist icon Alvar Aalto designed the ‘Stool 60’ for Artek in 1933 and the innovative design has continuously reaffirmed its presence in the canon of modern design. Last year we covered Artek’s innovative 2nd Cycle recycling initiative – which reclaims original Artek pieces and reintroduces them, wonderfully aged, back into the market as design classics. 2nd Cycle is a sustainable design initiative unlike any other that allows consumers to buy something “new” that is also embedded with the rich design legacy of Aalto.
The use of bent solid wood was pioneered by Aalto and Artek in the creation of Stool 60 and is now ubiquitous and archetypal in contemporary furniture design. Paying homage to the fundamental tools of art and design, Artek is producing the 75th anniversary edition of the stool in primary colors; red, yellow, and blue.
Artek takes part in Milan’s International Furniture Fair from April 16-21, 2008 and we will be bringing you more on Artek’s Sense of Sustainability soon. We are thrilled to bring you extended Milan coverage this year. We have lots in store from Salone 2008, so stay tuned – Salone Internazionale del Mobile gets underway today and Inhabitat is on the scene!
+ Artek Milan Pavillion – Designed by Shigeru Ban + Tom Dixon on Artek Video
Milan Photos: Ville Kokkonen/Artek
