Finland Meets Uganda

Finland has a lot to offer when it comes to design. But during this year Helsinki as the World Design Capital has even more to offer. Exhibitions show new designs from all over the world. You will find most of them to come from Europe as well as Asia and America.

Modern design from the African continent seems to be quite rare though. But that doesn’t mean there wouldn’t be any. 

The best proof for that is the exhibition Finland Meets Uganda by the designer Lincoln Kayiwa. Kayiwa graduated from the Aalto University School of Arts. With his design studio KAYIWA he focuses on innovative, aesthetic and functional products.

With his design he gained international attention. Now some of his products are on display at Caisa Galleria in Mikonkatu 17 C next to Rauttatientori. The exhibition is still open till October 11^th and the entrance is for free.

Charge your batteries

You need a short break and not just your own but also your smart phone’s battery needs to be charged? Then keep your eyes open for one of those nice chairs.

As part of the World Design Capital 2012 the Finnish companies UPM, Martela, Fortum, Karelia-Upofloor and Clear Channel started the project Suvanto. At Helsinki-Vantaa airport but also at Forum Shopping Center they put up those comfortable chairs that invite you for a break and a quiet moment in the middle of your hectic day. Next to every Suvanto chair you also find electric plug-ins where you can charge the batteries of your mobile electronic devices.

So escape the stress for a while and take a break!

KAOS at the tram stop

HKL (Helsinki’s public transport) is renewing their tram stops in the center at the moment. And since Helsinki is the world’s design capital this year it couldn’t have been just any new stops. According to HKL the new stops are going to cover a bigger area and will over more possibilities for providing electronic information.

Together with the designer Stefan Lindfors they came up with a new modern design for the stops. The so called KAOS tram stops are going to be inaugurated on August 23^rd. 

For that occasion HKL is organizing an opening party at the new stops at Kamppi on Fredrikinkatu at 21.00. Everyone is welcome.

RED ROLLS all over Helsinki

Maybe you have already seen them. In lots of places all over the city big red ribbon shaped rolls where installed. They look like some kind of sculpture on the first glance. But they are more than that.

Each roll has space for two people to comfortable sit or even more lay down in them. The concept is to bring people together to rest there for a while together and get to know each other. Sitting down you face the one on the other seat. 

The red rolls tie the 200^th birthday of the capital and the World Design Capital, the two major events of this year. And they also connect visitors and locals.

Find a map of all red rolls on the officialwebsite. And if you see one, take a minute and sit down. Maybe you even get to meet someone new.

Rent a kickbike

Sure you can cycle though Helsinki. As you read on HelsinkiIn you can also rent a tandem and cycle in as a team. But there is another possibility – rent a kickbike.

Most people might just remember them from early childhood. But kickbikes are trendy again. And they are fun to use.

If you like to try it come to Narinkka square in front of Kamppi. During the warm summer months there is a pop-up shop where you can get them for 10 € an hour or for 30 € a day.

But not only can you do your own tours. If you like you can attend one of several different guided design tours through the city as part of the World Design Capital. The tours are of course also available in English.

To find out more about kickbiking through Helsinki, check out their website. 

Happy kickbiking!

Finally open

The Chapel of Silence in the center of Helsinki finally opened its doors for visitors. Outside there is still a lot of work to do and the workers are doing their best to get things done as fast as possible. Inside everything is ready though and now you can see for yourself. Enter the wooden chapel and see the stunning yet simple interior.

 

The opening times are Mondays through Fridays from 7.00 to 20.00 and Saturdays and Sundays from 10.00 to 18.00.

The Pavilion is open!

This week the World Design Capital Pavilion opened for visitors. Located behind the Design Museum it offers lots of different events during the summer. There is something new every day.

To get an idea about what kinds of events and happenings take place there you should check the website. There should be something interesting for everyone. So just take your time and browse through their schedule for the next days and weeks.

You can also just come there for a snack or a coffee or tea since a café is also part of it.

The Pavilion is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. till 9 p.m. The entrance is free.