In 1962 Armi Ratia, the founder of Marimekko, defined Marimekko as “a cultural phenomenon guiding the quality of living”. She spent time in the social circles associated with Aarno Ruusuvuori’s architecture firm and was inspired by Marshall MacLuhan’s idea of the “global village”. From here she started building a utopia called Marikylä (“Mari-village”), whose aim was no less than to house the staffs and to function as a laboratory for product design and to develop new ways of life.
This year – when we celebrate the world design capital year of Marimekko’s home town Helsinki – Marimekko will bring to life the Marimekko Village of today. Since the beginning, Marimekko has been fascinated by the everyday happiness of people, and the Marimekko Village is a chance to work together with people to make it happen.
When thinking what Marimekko Village could be in 2012, we found that villages exist in physical and digital spaces and it’s the people that make the village truly function. At the same time, we’re seeing that in the Western world quality of life has changed remarkably since the 1960s. We read countless stories of people working to find meaning in their lives and thinking more about the emotional quality of their life.
The Marimekko Village of 2012 brings together people through numerous events and activities in Marimekko spaces in Finland and abroad. We will create interesting encounters, encourage people to make things together and get inspired by colours and patterns in our everyday life. All happenings will converge in this digital space, a virtual village www.marimekko.com/marimekkovillage where people can learn about and follow Marimekko Village throughout the year. The full Marimekko Village website will be launched during March this year.
The year kicks off on January 16th with the Armi 100 years online collaboration to honour Armi Ratia’s 100th birthday. The online collaboration project will give people the chance to be the voice of Marimekko. People are invited to express their thoughts through words or a visual on a topic that sits at the heart of the Marimekko philosophy: emotional quality of life. The outcomes of the initiatives will be seen in our collections towards the end of 2012.
Spotlight on Helsinki
During the Helsinki World Design Capital 2012 opening weekend, Marimekko will launch the Marimekko Map of Helsinki at its Marikiska shop in Helsinki on the 3rd of February. The map explores the special personalities of the main Marimekko locations in Helsinki and their cultural heritage. The map of Helsinki is illustrated by Marimekko designer Aino-Maija Metsola and will also present the favourite places in Helsinki of several other Marimekko designers – places in the city with a strong emotional meaning for them. The printed map will be available in Marimekko stores and in digital form on this site.
On Saturday the 4th of February, Marimekko welcomes everybody, families and friends, to Marimekko Village’s market place. Selected Marimekko stores in Finland and abroad will be staged for a day as a market place, the heart of the village. At the market place, people can meet and greet and enjoy the moments of life in Helsinki. The stores will offer fresh coffee, playful shows and a little fun for little ones.
Other events in the Marimekko Village in spring 2012 include e.g.:
- Designer Erja Hirvi’s Bökars Revival photo exhibition in the Marimekko Marikiska store in Helsinki
- Off to the Woods! exhibition in Helsinki
- Marimekko’s legendarysummer fashion show spiced up with new elements in Helsinki
- Open house events and talks as well as factory tours at the Marimekko-house in Helsinki
- etc.