Today, I am thrilled to present a profile on Alvar Aalto, courtesy of Suzanne, a guest blogger from All Modern, a fabulous modern furniture site.
Photo from http://www.alvaraalto.fi/alvar/img/alvar
The iconic designs of Alvar Aalto are unmistakable. Forever emblazoned on the history of modern design and architecture, the bold curves of Aalto’s modern furniture, glassware and buildings are synonymous with modernist style.
Photo from allmodern.com
Alvar Aalto’s career started in a traditional way, with an architecture degree from the Helsinki University of Technology, but quickly diverged from routine – his confidence and creativity paving a unique and unparalleled road to design stardom. At age 26 he married architect Aino Marsio, and together they brought new life and recognition to the architecture of Finland.
Aalto earned the respect of design legends like Le Corbusier with his Finnish Pavilion for the Paris International Exposition, and continued to impress with designs for the New York World’s Fair, MIT’s Baker House and the Museum of Modern Art in Iran.
Photo from allmodern.com
While Aalto’s buildings may be the most substantial of his accomplishments, it is his Savoy vase that has become the most recognized icon of his legacy. Aalto said that the vase was inspired by the shape of “a young Eskimo girl’s leather breeches”. The vase was designed for the Savoy Restaurant, for which Aalto also designed everything from the foundation to the roof, including the chairs and glassware.
Photo from allmodern.com
Aalto’s inimitable designs put him at the forefront the modern movement, carving a curvy niche for his art and for Finland in the history of modern design.
To see more of Aalto and other fabulous modern designers go to All Modern or check out their design blog, Modern Design Blog.
i like the shapes and the modern
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So glad to see my blog entry of the fabulous Aalto couple caught your attention. The room will be absolutely divine and I long to see all of their products together in one room! I’ve been a longtime fan as I’m Swedish and grew up surrounded by products and visions of the curiously creative Aalto couple. Your blog is wonderful. It is the first time I’ve seen it but you certainly caught my attention and thanks for the links to Aalto. I enjoyed it tremendously.
Take care,
Jenny Ljungberg