Concept Store – Consumer culture as Medium

The Concept Store exhibition explores commercial culture and its phenomena through the lens of a designer. Often, the designer is seen as a gatekeeper of “cool”—a figure positioned above trends, commercialism, and bad taste. This exhibition challenges that notion by turning the perspective upside down: what if the designer is just another consumer, and design becomes a means of navigating one’s own relationship with consumption?

The group exhibition raises questions about commercialism, authenticity, and the criticality of design. To what extent does the designer steer design—and to what extent does design shape their relationship with surrounding culture? Blurring the line between gallery and retail space, the works shift between mockups, photographs, products, and messages.

Aarni Kapanen (b. 1998), Veera Kortelainen (b. 1995), Akseli Manner (b. 1999), and Sanna Nykänen (b. 1999) are visual communication designers sharing a multidisciplinary approach and a critical relationship with their own field. Their practices span typography, strategic design, publishing, and coding. The group sees design as a tool for societal engagement and thought reorientation.

15.8.–14.9.2025
Concept Store – Consumer Culture as a Medium
Luonnos, Uudenmaankatu 13, Helsinki
Wed–Fri 12–17, Sat–Sun 12–16, free entry!
@luonnostila