Artek - Lukki white chair
Artek - Lukki black chair; Ilmari Tapiovaara designed the Lukki collection for the student dormitories of the Helsinki University of Technology. Composed of tubular steel with a seat, back and armrests formed from pressed birch plywood, the Lukki Chair is all-purpose and highly versatile: stackable, lightweight, and hardwearing. The short arms can be pulled close to a table, allowing for studying at a desk and dining, while offering the necessary support and comfort. Lukki means “daddy longlegs” in Finnish, a name as whimsical as the chair is practical.
Ilmari Tapiovaara
Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914-1999) was one of the greatest interior architects and designers of his time. It is often said that he captured the essence of Finnish identity, creating dozens of iconic objects that remain popular until day. Tapiovaara graduated from the Department of Furniture Design at the Central School of Applied Arts in Helsinki in 1937. After completing his studies, he worked as an assistant at Le Corbusier's office in Paris before becoming art director and designer at Asko Oy, then one of Finland's largest furniture manufacturers. Throughout his long career, Tapiovaara refused to stay within the bounds of traditional furniture design. With interests as wide-ranging as his talents, he created everything from wood sculptures to film posters and graphics, from sauna stoves to cutlery – even a portable grill. With the mind of an explorer and the soul of a craftsman, he was always looking for new ways to improve everyday objects.
Artek was founded in Helsinki in 1935 by four young idealists: Alvar and Aino Aalto, Maire Gullichsen and Nils-Gustav Hahl. Their goal was "to sell furniture and to promote a modern culture of living through exhibitions and other educational means. "In line with the radical spirit of its founders, today it remains an avant-garde character in the world of modern design, developing new products by joining design, architecture and art. The collection consists of furniture, lightings and accessories designed by Finnish masters and international designers. It stands for clarity, functionality and poetic simplicity. The name Artek is a synthesis of "art" and "technology", such as central concepts for the international modernist movement that came to prominence in the 1920s. From the beginning, the mission was to achieve a great synthesis of the arts, eroding the boundaries between fine arts, architecture and design. Artek’s manifesto outlines the vision of the four founders of the company. With titles such as Modern Art, Industry and Interior Design, Propaganda, the manifesto clarifies the company’s goals: to achieve a synthesis of the arts, to improve everyday life and to bring modernism to Finland - while spreading Alvar Aalto's Nordic interpretation of these principles to the world. Artek furniture is made in line with the original vision of Alvar Aalto to combine modern production methods with skillful craftsmanship and carefully selected materials. Regional supply and security are always priorities for both Artek and its partners, ensuring ethical production and lasting quality.
