Design Museum’s new exhibition explores the history of handicrafts through the eyes of contemporary designers

Design Museum’s In Good Hands exhibition presents work by contemporary designers inspired by the unique archives of the Friends of Finnish Handicraft organization. In dialogue with the archive material, the designers have created new works and products based on the archive material, combining traditional handicrafts techniques and technology.

In Good Hands presents work by contemporary designers inspired by the unique archives of the Friends of Finnish Handicraft organization. In dialogue with the archive material, the designers have created new works and products based on the archive material, combining traditional handicrafts techniques and technology.

The new exhibition at Design Museum includes new works and installations by four contemporary designers: Artist Hanna-Kaisa Korolainen, fashion designer Henna Lampinen, sculptor Matias Liimatainen and game designer Henri Tervapuro. 

Design Museum In Good Hands exhibition - Matias Liimatainen
Work by sculptor Matias Liimatainen / Design Museum.

The designers have drawn inspiration from the archive materials of the Friends of the Finnish Handicraft organization in the collection of Design Museum, consisting of some 6,500 fabric design samples, watercolour sketches, and woven textiles from late 1800s to 1990s. Each designer interpreted the material according to their vision, background and experience. 

Design Museum In Good Hands exhibition - Henna Lampinen
Fashion designer Henna Lampinen combines creative material manipulation to experimental form. Photo: Aake Kivalo

The exhibition has been curated by artist and researcher Riikka Latva-Somppi and Kieran Long, director of ArkDes, the Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design.

The exhibition is on display at Design Museum’s Gallery from 24 January until 22 March 2020. 

Don’t miss Helsinki Design Weekly’s radio interview with game designer Henri Tervapuro. 

 

Design Museum In Good Hands exhibition
Helene Schjerfbeck’s work from the archives of the Friends of Finnish Handicraft organization.

Exhibition events

Lunch Talk: In Good Hands 
Fri 24 Jan, 1pm

Free Design Evening: In Good Hands
Tue 28 Jan, 4-8pm

Winter-holiday-week at Design Museum: Extra Design Workshops for families
Tue 18 Feb to Fri 21 Feb, 2-4pm  

Featured image: Hannakaisa Korolainen’s Joutsenlaulu / Design Museum