Marimekko Corporation: THE MARIMEKKO SPIRIT - AN EXHIBITION SHOWCASING MARIMEKKO'S CONTEMPORARY ART OF PRINT MAKING TO CELEBRATE THE CENTENARY OF FINLAND'S INDEPENDENCE - OPENS IN TOKYO TODAY

Marimekko's theme for the 100th anniversary of Finland's independence focuses
on bold patterns and doing things together open-mindedly. In collaboration with
two notable Tokyo-based galleries, the Finnish design house organises
exhibitions with the title 'Marimekko spirit' to introduce the brand's very
essence, the art of print making and its straightforward lifestyle, to the
Japanese audience. With over 35 Marimekko stores, Japan is the most important
country to Marimekko in the Asia-Pacific region. 

The Marimekko Spirit - Paavo Halonen / Maija Louekari / Aino-Maija Metsola
exhibition opening at the Ginza Graphic Gallery today, 15 November, focuses on
Marimekko's younger-generation designers and the contemporary art of print
making. The second exhibition, Marimekko Spirit - Elämäntapa (?????), will open
at the Gallery A4 exactly one month later and it will explore the dialogue
between the Finnish and the Japanese lifestyles in the context of Marimekko's
design heritage. 

Marimekko Spirit - Paavo Halonen / Maija Louekari / Aino-Maija Metsola

The exhibition at the Ginza Graphic Gallery brings together three
younger-generation designers whose creative output and print designs illustrate
the story of Marimekko today. Each of the designers, all born and grown in
Finland, was also invited to create one completely new, Japanese-inspired print
design for the exhibition, based on their own impressions of a country none of
them had ever visited before. Material depicting the creative process and
sources of inspiration of the designers is also on display. 

The textile prints on view in the exhibition have received their final form in
Marimekko's in-house factory in Helsinki, where around a million metres of
fabric are printed every year. The printing mill serves both as a factory and
as an innovative hub for Marimekko's creative community. 

"The exhibited works of these versatile Marimekko artists - Paavo Halonen,
Maija Louekari and Aino-Maija Metsola - excellently show the diversity of
expression Marimekko currently has to offer through its prints and colours to
people around the world. The designers each have their own strongly distinct
style and interests, which inspire them and in which they trust in their
creative work," says Minna Kemell-Kutvonen who is heading Marimekko's print
design and is the supervisor of the exhibition. 

The Marimekko Spirit exhibitions are supported by the Embassy of Finland in
celebration of the 100th anniversary of Finland's independence. After Tokyo,
the two exhibitions will merge into one travelling exhibition which will tour
Japan until the year 2020. All exhibitions have been planned and coordinated by
S2 Corporation. 

Download Marimekko designers' portraits here.

Marimekko Spirit - Paavo Halonen / Maija Louekari / Aino-Maija Metsola
Ginza Graphic Gallery
DNP Ginza Bldg. 7-2, Ginza 7-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
http://www.dnp.co.jp/gallery/ggg_e/
15 November 2017 - 13 January 2018
Organised by DNP Foundation for Cultural Promotion
Planned & coordinated by S2 Corporation

Marimekko Spirit - Elämäntapa (?????)
Gallery A4
1-1-1 Shinsuna Koto-ku Tokyo Takenaka Corporation Tokyo Office 1st floor
http://www.a-quad.jp
15 December 2017 - 28 February 2018
Organised by Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Gallery A4
Planned & coordinated by S2 Corporation

Additional information:
Annikka Itkonen, Marimekko Communications
Tel. [phone]
[e-mail]

DISTRIBUTION:
Key media

Marimekko is a Finnish design company renowned for its original prints and
colours. The company's product portfolio includes high-quality clothing, bags
and accessories as well as home décor items ranging from textiles to tableware.
When Marimekko was founded in 1951, its unparalleled printed fabrics gave it a
strong and unique identity. Marimekko products are sold in about 40 countries.
In 2016, brand sales of the products worldwide amounted to EUR 199 million and
the company's net sales were close to EUR 100 million. Roughly 160 Marimekko
stores serve customers around the globe. The key markets are Northern Europe,
North America and the Asia-Pacific region. The Group employs about 400 people.
The company's share is quoted on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. www.marimekko.com