HEL/LO 3 VIDEO: "WE NEED TO START THINKING IN A NEW WAY"

HEL/LO – Let's Talk About Alternatives from The Finnish Institute in London on Vimeo.

What does it mean to be alternative in design and architecture? Why are margins important?  Do we need alternative methods of producing alternatives? HEL/LO – Let's Talk About Alternatives took place at the Pavilion in Helsinki 12 September, and focused on alternative ways in design and architecture. The speakers talked about their personal relationship to the theme, and shared their views on what constitutes alternativeness in their particular fields.

The speakers at the third HEL/LO event included Alex Warnock-Smith, Annamari Vänskä, Krista Kosonen and Sean Griffiths. Get to know them better here. The talk was chaired by Beatrice Galilee.

Video by Kirmo Kivelä.

SHE FUSES ART WITH FASHION

Photo: Juliana Harkki

Where do art and fashion meet? Ask the question in Helsinki this autumn, and the answer will most definitely be Boutique. The recently opened interdisciplinary art exhibition has turned one of the most renowned museums in the Finnish capital – Amos Anderson Art Museum – into a temporary imaginative department store. The Finnish Institute in London talked to Annamari Vänskä, the mother of the exhibition and speaker at the upcoming HEL/LO 3 talk, about breaking the boundaries of art and fashion. 

Bodily norms, sustainability in fashion production, class in relation to clothing  – these are some of the themes covered by the works of art shown at Boutique. All works on display have been created by teams consisting of one designer and one artist, and the concept of collaboration has been important throughout the project, curator Annamari Vänskä points out.

– Each of these works is such that neither of the parties could have realised it alone. Boutique underlines communal spirit in making art, fashion and interesting exhibitions.

The artists and designers that have turned the Amos Anderson Art Museum into a multi-art fashion house have all been hand picked by Vänskä. With this exhibition, Vänskä, who is an expert on visual culture, wanted to explore the possibilities that arise when art and fashion are introduced to each other. 

–  Boutique has brought in audiences that have never visited the museum, and the show has been considered to be something that has never been done in art or fashion prior to this. I think Boutique breaks the boundaries of art and fashion in many ways. Or maybe rather, it brings them together in a way that is new and refreshing to both fields.

Vänskä is currently a post-doctoral fellow at the Centre for Fashion Studies at the University of Stockholm in Sweden. Her recent publications include a book on children's representations in fashion advertising. For Vänskä, the visual culture is like a horn of plenty, with much pleasure and at the same time food for critical thinking and writing. 

– I’m fascinated by the surprise of the yet unknown when different fields come together. I think the exhibition shows the importance of cooperation – not only in art and fashion, but in life more generally.

Annamari Vänskä will take part in the HEL/LO – Let’s Talk About Alternatives discussion held 12 September at Paviljonki in Helsinki.

Jenni Tuovinen

HELLO SEPTEMBER

Photo: Aleksi Niemelä

The customised HEL/LO chairs are back from holidays, eager to seat Finnish and British architecture and design professionals this autumn. With two cities, two dates and two themes, the HEL/LO series offers double enjoyment this September. Join us in Helsinki or London for discussions on doing things one's own way, and of daring to think one step ahead.


HEL/LO – Let's Talk About Alternatives
Wednesday 12 September
6-9 pm at Paviljonki, Helsinki

HEL/LO – Let's Talk lands in Helsinki for its penultimate event and is inviting you to a discussion about alternatives in architecture, design and art. The speakers include London guests Sean Griffiths from architecture studio FAT and architect and urbanist Alex Warnock-Smith from Urban Projects Bureau along with the Helsinki guests curator, columnist and researcher Annamari Vänskä and designer-researcher Krista Kosonen of IMU Design. The talk is chaired by Beatrice Galilee, the chief curator for the 2013 Lisbon Architecture Triennale.

Join us for an evening of lively conversation with some of the most creative minds from London and Helsinki, who have gained a reputation for doing things their own way.

Emmi Salonen (Studio EMMI) and Chrissie Macdonald (Peepshow Collective) will open the evening by giving an insight to their collaboration on the HEL/LO visuals and set design.

The Talk is followed by early autumn hot toddies. The event is free, but seats are limited.


HEL/LO – Let's Talk About Tomorrow
Wednesday 19 September
6-7.30 pm at designjunction, London

The fourth and final HEL/LO – Let's Talk event of 2012 will be held at designjunction as part of the preview night programme. For HEL/LO – Let's Talk About Tomorrow, Helsinki-based architect Tuomas Toivonen from NOW and designer and professor Timo Salli from Aalto University together with co-founder and design director Dick Powell from London-based design company Seymourpowell and sustainability innovator, senior TED fellow Rachel Armstrong will participate in a talk chaired by Blueprint editor Johnny Tucker.

The theme will cover the inspirations and opportunities they see in the near and distant future, and what they are doing to achieve their goals. In a year that has seen London host the Olympic Games and Helsinki attract the attention of the world as World Design Capital, HEL/LO will ask the speakers to share ideas about how we can move forward.

The talk is followed by the designjunction preview night programme, including a live auction. Drinks and refreshments will be served.

Seats are limited, please arrive early.

Welcome!
The HEL/LO Team