The world’s northernmost design week – Arctic Design Week – will start on Monday, February 17th. The design week is arranged in Rovaniemi for the sixth time. Most of the events are open for all and free of charge.
The Arctic Design Week is arranged by Rovaniemi Regional Development Agency and produced by Visual Norden Oy. The week is implemented in cooperation with the University of Lapland, the Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Pilke Science Centre, Arktikum, and a wide variety of corporate partners.
Some of the events:
The whole programme is available
at the Arctic Design Week web pages.
Grand Opening Ceremony
Monday, February 17, at 6 pm
Snow Arena next to Arktikum and Pilke (Pohjoisranta 4)
The Arctic Design Week will be opened with circus, fire and dance art on the snow arena built by the students of the Faculty of Art and Design.
Arctic Design Show 2014
Saturday, February 22, at 6 pm and 8 pm
Snow Arena next to Arktikum and Pilke (Pohjoisranta 4)
The spectacle is brought to you by the Faculty of Art and Design of the University of Lapland. The show features Arctic design as the main theme and also the meaning of design for different generations will be contemplated.
You will see not only leading Finnish Arctic clothing design, but also the skilled craftsmanship of the designers of the University of Lapland and international partners. This unique spectacle presents top clothing design, audiovisual artwork and beautiful dance of light and shadows in breathtaking ice and snow surroundings.
The showings start at 6 pm and 8 pm. Tickets: 5 €. Pre-sale until February 21 at Arktikum House (Pohjoisranta 4) and Hih-hi! Store (Kauppayhtiö, Valtakatu 24). On 22nd of February tickets are sold from the door closing at 6 p.m. Limited amount of tickets.
Ajan kanssa (With time) Exhibition
Gallery Valo, Arktikum (Pohjoisranta 4)
The exhibition comprises the works of students and alumnae of the Faculty of Art and Design. It includes a selection of items from the Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Clothing, Textile and Interior Design, and Audiovisual Media Culture programmes.
The exhibition will open on Monday, February 17th, from 5 pm to 7:30 pm. It runs to March 9th during the opening hours of the museum (from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm). Admission to the exhibition is free.
The exhibition is organized by a project group of the Faculty of Art and Design. Tutors: Heidi Pietarinen and Hanna Viitasaari. Students: Mari Autio, Karoliina Erkinjuntti, Eero Ervast, Pirkko Hakkarainen, Pia Keränen, Kirsi Mikkonen, Mirjami Marin, Anni Oikarinen, Katri Salovaara, Minna Silvennoinen, Laura Vaaraniemi and Marika Ylisirniö.
Design Shop
Gallery Valo, Arktikum (Pohjoisranta 4)
Showing off northern design expertise, the pop-up Design Boutique has a stunning range of design products made by enterprises working in the north or inspired by the north, and from a large group of students from the Faculty of Art and Design at the University of Lapland. The versatile range of the boutique well represents northern forms and materials. The Design Boutique shows clothing, household textiles, jewellery and small interior design items.
The shop will open on Monday, February 17th, from 5 pm to 7:30 pm. It runs to February 23rd from 10 am to 6 pm.
The pop-up Design Boutique is a joint venture between the Rovaniemi Regional Development Agency and the University of Lapland with the WDC2012 Helsinki-Rovaniemi project.
Design Strolls
Monday, February 17, at 4 pm
Saturday, February 22, at 12 (noon)
Design Strolls in Rovaniemi take participants to explore different perspectives of design, architecture, interiors and culture by visiting boutiques, cafeterias, design enterprises and cultural spots.
Starting from the Rovaniemi Design Lounge (Ainonkatu street) the route ends after around 2 hours at Arktikum/Pilke where you can visit Ajan kanssa Design Exhibition and Design shop. Guidance also shortly in English.
The route is made in co-operation between the WDC2012 Helsinki–Rovaniemi project and Rovaniemen Matkailuoppaat ry (Rovaniemi Guide Association).
The Stories Seminar
Thursday, February 20, from 10 am to 3 pm
Korundi House of Culture (Lapinkävijäntie 4)
The Stories Seminar brings Finnish and international design experts speak about creativity and the arctic as the resource and advantage of a blooming business.
Keynote speakers include for example: Juhana Arkio who is running the industrial design team at Wärtsilä; Tuija Seipell, the world’s most widely read Finnish blogger; Antti Pitkänen, Founder and Managing Director of Seos Design, a design and research agency based in Finland; and Anne Turula, Service Manager in the Growth Companies Unit of Tekes. In addition, the brand new "Design Thinking" book will be published during the seminar.
The language of the seminar is English. Students can attend the seminar for free. They should get their tickets in Korundi House of Culture until the 19th of February at 6 pm.