Finnish Modern Design: Utopian Ideals and Everyday Realities, 1930-97 [Hardcover]

Ms. Marianne Aav (Editor), Nina Stritzler-Levine (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 1998

This text examines the design achievements of Finland over the last seven decades, focusing on the central and decisive role played by Modernism. It distinguishes Finnish design from that of its Nordic and European neighbours and considers the principal ideas, individuals and influences.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This volume is an especially useful reference work as well as a pleasure to browse through." Neil Bingham, World of Interiors "Both parts of the book are fascinating. The essays provoke, challenge and question preconceived international views of Finnish culture and history and examine Finland's close relationship with other Nordic countries. The latter part explores the background history of production and manufacturing...This comprehensive and well-designed book will excite anyone who is already an enthusiast of the movement and will also enthuse a great many newcomers." Susan Hewer, RSA Journal "There's more, much more, to this lively digest of Finnish design, which with its lucid catalogue will tell you all and then some about one of the world's outstanding achievements in modern design." Grace Glueck, New York Times "This is an important and insightful publication on a subject not previously treated in English." Choice --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Marianne Aav is curator of the Museum of Art and Design, Helsinki (formerly the Museum of Applied Arts). Nina Stritzler-Levine is director of exhibitions at the Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 412 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (March 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300075049
• ISBN-13: 978-0300075045
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,577,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I expected more, October 7, 2005

By 

Timothy S. Rumbinas "canuman" (Sutton, VT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Finnish Modern Design: Utopian Ideals and Everyday Realities, 1930-97 (Paperback)

I was disappointed to find that this book is essentially a museum catalog of a specific exhibition. While it is extremely well done as such, the collection of objects it represents is necessarily limited.

I make and design furniture, and was hoping to find more represented. The rather limited selection of objects shown are by Aalto and other very familiar designers. Practically nothing is shown from the new generation of Finns.

As an overview of 20th Century Finnish work, this book is ok. It is not particularly exciting and could be better organized, but unfortunately is one of the few works in English on the subject.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant book... very discriptive, February 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Finnish Modern Design: Utopian Ideals and Everyday Realities, 1930-97 (Paperback)

my favorite designer alvar aalto is featured in this very colorful and great book.. recommended!!