Artek | Artek @ Milan 08

This year Artek's theme is A SENSE OF SUSTAINABILITY.
The inspiration for Artek's stand and platform for new products comes from the 75th anniversary of the iconic stool 60 and from the spirit of legendary Paimio sanatorium.

Artek's product portfolio of Milan 08 consists of three categories: Artek Classics, Artek Studio, and Artek Gallery.

ARTEK CLASSICS

1. This year Artek celebrates the 75 -year-old 60 STOOL, which sybolises the originality and sustainability of Artek products. Designed by Alvar Aalto in 1932-33, this innovative yet simple stool is considered the archetype of functional furniture. At the fair, an installation of 750 stools was built to pay tribute to this design icon, creating a shelter for true design.The Artek stand was designed by Stefano Tagliacarne.

2. Left to right: Mirkku Kullberg (M.D Artek, Finland), Minna Pendolin (Export Manager, Finland), Ainsley Kimber (Thonet, NZ).

The "BILBERRY A338" LIGHT fitting was designed by Alvar Aalto in the late 1950's. The lampshade is made of white painted steel.

3. The "403 HALLWAY" CHAIR was designed by Alvar Aalto in 1931-32. This classic stackable armchair was originally designed for the Paimio Sanatorium.

4. Fine detailing on the 403 CHAIR with birch legs and moulded ply seat and back.

5. Kaj Franck designed the LOUNGE CHAIR while he was working as a designer for Artek in 1940. Franck used Aalto's standard L-leg component for this elegant piece of furniture. This lounge chair is now launched for the first time.

6. 41 CHAIR. ARTEK WHITE consists of selected Aalto classics presented in white as a fresh alternative. The white was chosen as the purest, most reductionist way of highlighting the extraordinarily elegant yet revolutionary forms that Aalto created at the beginning of the modernist era.

7. K65 STOOL ARTEK WHITE.

ARTEK STUDIO

8. BAMBU COLLECTION. Three year's investment in research and development has allowed Artek Studio to convert bamboo, a fascinating ecological material, into the first Artek studio range. The Bambu Collection consists of a table and a chair completed with two new launches: the simple and functional Bambu bench and the graceful and delicate Bambu side table (pictured from above, stacked).

ARTEK GALLERY

9. Tapio Wirkkala designed the X-FRAME GLASS TOP TABLE in 1958. In this one-of-a-kind table shapes of nature and geometric forms intertwine together in a most captivating way. These two strong materials, wood and glass, form a sculptorous and elegant piece of art.