In a land known for their hard, dark winter seasons, I suppose it is possible that one’s imagination runs at full throttle to stay sane during the dreariest of Finland’s winter months. Without this theory, I am not sure we can quite understand how so many beautiful designs come out of the Scandinavian region that fit within a genre of design that comes close to perfect. Thanks to the Finnish design company of Artek, Ilmari Tapiovaara‘s Kiki range of seating will be reissued some 52 years after its initial launch in the year of 1960.

Kiki collection. Designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara. Manufactured and reissued by Artek.

Relaunching the Kiki Collection at Salone 2012 by Ilmari Taiovaara for Artek.

Born in 1914, Ilmari Tapiovaara was an acclaimed Finnish interior architect and furniture designer who won the gold prize at the Milan Triennale over a half century ago. Showing off the simplicity and grace of upholstered seating and tables that also feature the cold edge of tubular steel, the Kiki collection splashed into the scene after Tapiovaara had created a stacking side chair that obtained instant approval from the education sector. It was intended for large spaces – like auditorium seating or conference halls – but has a versatility about its thin, regimented lines that can bring the Kiki stackable chair anywhere.

Tapiovaara had initially developed pieces of furniture in the 1940s using solid birch. In fact, after a decade or so using birch, Tapiovaara started to run with other ideas – like the multipurpose steel tubing and plywood – which came to fruition in the late 1950s with his launch of Kiki in 1960.

Now, in addition to the relaunching of Kiki as a stacking chair, the 2012 Kiki collection will also include: a two-seater sofa, three-seater sofa, bench, stool, side table, sofa table and standard-height table. Instead of his distinguishing organic style that he made furniture in prior to Kiki, Tapiovaara clearly leaned for the clean cut nature of oval steel in its structured splendor by the time 1960 hit.

As Artek states of their Salone 2012 launch, that shares its focus with Harri Koskinen’s new lounge chair addition to the ‘Lento’ series, they make sure we’re aware of the magnitude that Tapiovaara had over the past half century by saying that “one of the most popular pieces of public furniture in Finland, ‘Kiki’ will be presented” in Milano as well.

About the Manufacturer: Founded in 1935, the Finnish company we know as Artek was known for their initial business idea, developed by four “young idealists”. It was described as a company that would “sell furniture and promote a modern culture of habitation by exhibitions and other educational means.” The founders of Artek – Alvar and Aino Aalto, Maire Gullichsen and Nils-Gustav Hahl – have since created a timeless aesthetic through collaborations with famous designers such as: Eero Aarnio, Shigeru Ban, Naoto Fukasawa, Harri Koskinen, Juha Leiviskä, Enzo Mari and Tobias Rehberger. All of their furniture and lighting pieces are modern and versatile, and range from application in public spaces and education to museums, hotels, homes and offices.