Decades

The most elemental of furniture pieces, Artek’s Stool 60, turns 90 years old in 2023. To celebrate the anniversary, Artek 2nd Cycle presents the exhibition Decades, which pays tribute to the three-legged stool designed by Alvar Aalto in 1933. The dozens of stools on display, of which the majority is for sale, represent a cross-section of the design icon throughout the decades. The selection sheds light on both the endurance of a standardised classic that has remained unchanged in structure and materiality, as well as the effects of history on the appearance of the stool.

History of Stool 60

To date, millions of Stool 60s have been constructed from Finnish wood at the original factory near Turku, southwestern Finland, employing a little-changed, highly manual process. Born of modernist ideals and Finnish innovation, Stool 60’s great legacy and continued relevance owe much to Aalto’s original vision for a universal object made entirely from native birch wood. Remaining in continuous production since 1933, Stool 60 has barely changed in either material or form, yet it continues to transcend both time and fashion.

Decades

The selling exhibition Decades displays over one hundred Stool 60s, all representing the different decennia through which this humble design classic has lived. The exhibition, designed by Lauri Johansson, takes visitors on a journey from the 1930s until today. Although the vast majority of stools produced over the years reveals the success of Aalto’s original design, the selection on view also unveils the small adjustments in the manufacture of Stool 60 over the years. These details are telling of the technological advancements, changing aesthetics, and major world events that have defined the past century. During the shortages of the Second World War, the L-leg had to be replaced with a simple finger joint, while post-war prosperity meant Stool 60 was made with precious elm and mahogany veneers. In the 1970s, it was covered in thick, brightly coloured lacquers; at the turn of the millennium, it became a canvas for creative collaborations; and today, Stool 60 is spearheading a shift in how Artek works with birch wood.

The history of Stool 60 relates to the story of Artek, Finland, and 20th-century design, but all the while, the product itself has not fundamentally changed. 90 years on, Stool 60 remains the most elemental of designs and stands as an instantly recognisable symbol of the democratic values of Alvar Aalto and Artek.

The majority of the Stool 60s featured in the exhibition will be available for purchase from the Artek 2nd Cycle store in Helsinki. The sold stools will be shipped in September after the exhibition has closed.

A curated selection will travel to several locations in Japan, including the Artek Tokyo store.

A catalogue designed by TSTO, the Helsinki based design studio that also created the visual identity of Decades, is published on the occasion of the exhibition.

Exhibition Details

Artek 2nd Cycle
​Pieni Roobertinkatu 4-6 ​
​00130 Helsinki ​
​Finland

Opening Hours: 11:00 – 18:00 (Thu – Fri)* ​
​Or by appointment.

More information about Decades and 90 Years of Stool 60 will be published throughout 2023 via Instagram on @artekglobal, @artek2ndcycle, @artekhelsinki and @artekjapan. ​
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​*Closed week 28-29 and extended opening hours during Helsinki Design Week 8-17 September 2023.

About Artek 2nd Cycle

Artek 2nd Cycle is Artek’s platform for pre-loved Finnish design: it buys and sells rediscovered furniture, lighting and other everyday objects, giving them a second cycle in their lives. In doing so, Artek 2nd Cycle celebrates the character and beauty that these timeless designs gain through daily use, preserving their qualities through a process of careful reconditioning.

About Artek

Artek was founded in Helsinki in 1935 by four young idealists: Alvar and Aino Aalto, Maire Gullichsen, and Nils-Gustav Hahl. Their goal was “to sell furniture and to promote a modern culture of living by exhibitions and other educational means.” In keeping with the radical spirit of its founders, Artek today remains an innovative player in the world of modern design, developing new products at the intersection of design, architecture, and art. The Artek collection consists of furniture, lighting, and accessories designed by Finnish masters and leading international designers. It stands for clarity, functionality, and poetic simplicity.