Glass Products on Display: Special Exhibition “Finland” at Kobe Fashion Museum

A special exhibition, “Finnish Lifestyle – Design to Enrich Your Life,” will be held at Kobe Fashion Museum in Higashinada-ku, Kobe from September 14. The exhibition will run until November 10.

Birger Kaipiainen, “Wall Plate,” 1960s-70s, Arabia, Scope collection, photo by Masagen Hatta, courtesy of Sekai Bunka Sha

Finland is a country of forests and lakes. Since declaring independence at the beginning of the 20th century, Finland has been known as a “design superpower” that has developed its own unique design style, and its unique and warm designs continue to fascinate people around the world.

Alvar Aalto, “Savoy” Vase, 1937 / Original design 1936-37, Kalfra / Iittala, Scope, Photo by Masagen Hatta, Image courtesy of Sekai Bunka Sha

The exhibition includes Alvar Aalto (1898-1976), Aino Aalto (1894-1949), Ilmari Tapiovara (1914-1999), Kai Frank (1911-1989), Oiva Tuikka (1931-2019), and Fujio Ishimoto (1941-), The exhibition features approximately 750 pieces of furniture, ceramics, glassware, and textiles by Finnish designers.

Alvar Aalto, “Stool 60,” original design 1933, Artec, Scope collection, photo by Masagen Hatta, courtesy of Sekai Bunka Sha

During the exhibition, there will also be a corner where visitors can sit on a chair and feel the experience of sitting on a Finnish design masterpiece! Approximately 20 pieces will be on display.

Fujio Ishimoto, “Relief ‘Ceramic Flower'” (2013), Arabia, Scope collection, photo by Akira Tajima, courtesy of Curators.

The exhibition also introduces Finnish handicrafts such as “folk costumes” and the sauna culture that gave birth to Finnish design excellence, as well as the Finnish way of life. The curator in charge of the exhibition says, “Don’t miss this opportunity to see a variety of Finnish works that coexist in harmony with nature. Don’t miss this opportunity! Don’t miss this opportunity!

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I personally love Finnish goods and furniture, so this is definitely something I want to go see! I’m sure I’ll feel like I’m on a short trip.

Dates

September 14 (Sat) – November 10 (Sun), 2024

Place

Kobe Fashion Museum
(2-9-1 Naka, Koyo-cho, Higashinada-ku, Kobe)
Google Map

Hours

10:00 – 18:00 (Admission until 17:30)

Closed

Mondays (except Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Oct. 14, and Nov. 4; closed Sept. 17, Sept. 24, Oct. 15, and Nov. 5)

Admission

Adults 1,000 yen
University students 500 yen
High school students and younger free
Kobe residents 65 years and older free

• Kobe Fashion Museum official website https://www.fashionmuseum.jp/