Alvar Aalto: Work and Life
This exhibition brings Alvar Aalto’s innovative designs into a contemporary context, reimagining his iconic modular furniture for the Manhattan waterfront. The layout of the pavilion transforms every five hours based on audience and client input, reflecting Aalto’s belief in adaptable living spaces that respond to individual needs and preferences in real-time. Work and Life offers an immersive opportunity to engage with Aalto’s philosophy of design as a flexible and dynamic process, bridging past and present while celebrating his enduring impact on modern architecture and furniture design.
The exhibition is presented in conversation with the book Artek and the Aaltos: Creating a Modern World, exploring Aalto’s work, influence in furniture design, and the history of Artek. Founded in 1935 in Helsinki by Aino and Alvar Aalto, Maire Gullichsen, and Nils-Gustav Hahl, Artek was created to “sell furniture and promote a modern culture of living by exhibitions and other educational means.” From Nordic masters to contemporary international designers, Artek has always embodied innovation at the intersection of design, architecture, and art.
For the exhibition identity, I selected a brick red color to resonate with materials Aalto frequently used, such as brick, and incorporated silhouettes of his furniture to highlight the modularity and versatility of his designs. This visual system reinforces the connection between his material choices, architectural language, and the functional beauty of his furniture, creating a cohesive identity that reflects Aalto’s legacy.
