TAPIOVAARA, ILMARI LIFE AND DESIGN.

Finland 2014. The year 2014 marks the centenary of the birth of designer Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914 – 1999). In honour of this event, Designmuseum staged a major exhibition of his work featuring both furniture and sketches from archive collections that have not been displayed previously. The book Ilmari Tapiovaara – Life and Design published in connection with the exhibition. Originally trained as an interior architect, Ilmari Tapiovaara followed an extensive career in design. He was the artistic director of a furniture factory, a teacher, an expert serving in development cooperation and the head of his own design office, among other work. Tapiovaara was a charismatic speaker and skilled writer with a public presence as a spokesman for modern professional design. The Ilmari Tapiovaara centenary exhibition presented one of Finland’s most significant designers in broad perspective. The numerous sketches, items of furniture, interior designs and personal items on show lead the viewer through Ilmari Tapiovaara’s life, presenting his development from an internationally oriented student to a prolific and responsible designer of the post-war years of reconstruction. His work is considered in particular from the perspective of the social responsibility of the designer. The exhibition also noted the significance of his wife and colleague, interior architect Annikki Tapiovaara as an important background figure., English, Year2014, Illust. B/W79, Illust. Color85, ISBN 9789529878840, Code 7040. Hardbound, In Pristine Condition, Location of Exhibition: Helsinki, Finland, Bibl. Index. Pages 175, Size 10 1/4”x 8 1/2”