Marimekko is one of Finland’s leading design houses. The name Marimekko means “Mari’s dress.” Since its founding in 1951, it has created designs that brighten our everyday lives with vivid colors and bold patterns, extending from fashion to interiors, tableware, and daily accessories.
Over the years, Marimekko has introduced more than 3,500 print designs, earning wide support across generations and national borders.
Marimekko’s creative process is rooted in a hands-on sensibility, resonant colors, and a free and positive sprit. Designers, artists, and experienced artisans collaborate at the company’s print factory in Helsinki to constantly refine new design ideas.
This exhibition illuminates the creative aesthetics of Marimekko through a diverse range of works and materials, including valuable dresses from across the decades, printed textiles, and materials related to the production process. A video installation by the artist collective plaplax introduces the print factory that is the heart of Marimekko’s craftsmanship. The exhibition also features a special display by guest designer Akira Minagawa.
The venue, the Former Residence of Prince Asaka, features an interior design based on the 1930s French Art Deco style and accented by Japanese decorative elements. In a setting where patterns enliven architectural details, the exhibition sheds light on the power of patterns brought forth by color and form. Enjoy this exhibition, which explores the arts and creative aesthetics behind Marimekko’s Art of Printmaking.
