HDW HOP 2017: Kukkii
The HDW HOP series presents installations enlivening the city centreduring Helsinki Design Week from 7 to 17 September 2017.
Major urban installations take over the city for the second time during Helsinki Design Week. The installation series consists of works by Finnish and international designers and architects, addressing the theme of ‘developing city’.
All installations and their designers are presented in Helsinki Design Weekly. We’ll celebrate the opening of the HDW HOP installation series together with all Helsinki people on the 7th of September. An opening parade organized by the We Jazz festival starts at Kaartin maneesi at 7 pm and passes through the installations to Keskuskatu in the city centre. The opening ceremony is open to the public.
We’re introducing the Kukkii installation by Antrei Hartikainen: a flower field consisting of tall sculptures. Set up at Stockmann’s, this installation provides an opportunity to take a break from the busy life in the city. The installation is made in collaboration with designer Laura Väinölä.
Stockmann and Helsinki Design Week invite citizens to also visit the new Designer’s Day event. Come listen to panel discussions and envision future department stores by utilizing user experience and service design. Led by designers and trend analysts, we’ll speculate what will make successful future classics. The programme also includes a mask workshop led by illustrator Leena Kisonen as well as guided tours to spot culturally and historically valuable design and art items located at Stockmann’s. See Designer’s Day’s programme here.
Q&A: Kukkii
Who are you and of which existing works are you particularly proud?
I am master carpenter Antrei Hartikainen, designer and builder. I’ve found that collaborative projects related to product design, architecture or large entities are particularly rewarding. By observing how others work, they’ve also been a way to learn new about myself. Latest projects include Fiori coffee tables with design agency POIAT and the Y Installation on the Seurasaari island with Emmi Keskisarja, Janne Teräsvirta and Tommi Alatalo.
How did you come up with the idea of the installation?
I’ve previously designed and built individual sculptures and shelves with the same theme. Whenever I was sculpting a new flower, I thought how impressive a whole field full of tall flowers or a pond full of floating flower sculptures would be. Facing a landscape like this involves a sense of wonder, memories and meditation. The sculptures have been inspired by a tranquil lake view with tall water plants reaching for the sky.
All installations study the development of cities. What do you think about the theme and how does your work express it?
As cities grow denser and the purpose of each square metre is to provide maximum productivity, we often forget how important space is. The purpose of this installation is to remind us of the moments that we never forget that provide an opportunity to calm down, observe and experience creativity; unhurriedness, having space and time to just exist and admire the environment. I wish urban development would enable this kind of thinking in the future and including esthetics in our daily lives.
Why should people see your installation?
Stockmann’s is a fine framework to present dense city atmosphere. This installation provides an opportunity to take a break from being so busy and goal-directed. A sense of wonder, skillful woodcraft and associations of nature in the middle of a busy shopping area.
What is the city of the future like? What must be remembered when developing cities?
Compactness, intelligent functions, services. People!!