Erik Bruun & Tiina Latva reunion in Aalto University opening ceremony. 2007 I had honour to be part of Erik's Pro Finlandia Medal ceremony in Suomenlinna.
Opening ceremony of Aalto University took place in Finlandia Hall and Kiasma on last Friday.
The guests included foreign dignitaries, government ministers, Members of Parliament, professionals in various fields, in addition to students, professors, and staff of the university.
The speakers at the opening included, in addition to the President of
the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, Aalto President Tuula Teeri and President of Aalto University Student
Union Jussi Valtonen. The idea was to make the launch a part of the
society around.
Professor Yrjö Sotamaa, the father of Aalto idea, got also finally some thanks after a darker, about 1,5 years lasting, period of shit. In a nice dialogue number in opening ceremony he had also an opportunity to enlighten some of his pioneer ideas behind Aalto.
From Finlandia Hall, the 2,500 guests walked in a procession to the nearby Museum of Contemporary Art. That was a historical moment for me. I had honour to share my moment with some very important persons in my field: Marita Sandelin, super executive manager of Grafia, Erik Bruun, 83 years, legendary artist and graphic designer, Kyösti Varis, 72 years, multitalented living legend as well (both of them most openminded, warm and youthful gentlemen and colleagues you can ever imagine), my favourite UIAH alumn intellect Heikki Rajasalo from Yatta, and Teemu Suviala from Kokoro&Moi.
As Heikki wrote me today, Helsinki is too small for us, TOO small for whole graphic design field, just to stay in one's own office and hide. You need to attend and share!
There we all, from honoured legends to youngsters, from alumns to Grafia stuff, did one more night to remember, (again,) TOGETHER.
Night at the Museum was success too, in every way. My friend who is working at Kiasma, said that hardly ever they have had so outgoing and cheerful guests in their own openings. She was totally enjoying of her work that night. I agree; the atmosphere, natural networking and socialization reached the new level in this context. There hasn't been too many similar successful nights where the whole Aalto University-related culture crowd gather together and have so laid back and sparkly times together.
Highlights of the night:
1. Chains – Beautiful dignified moment. Designers Saara Renvall and Inni Pärnänen in the stage together with first Aalto President Tuula Teeri. Meditative minutes. ( Note: We were asked to come up with a design for the chains including designer's sketches, 'making of' documentation etc. We are working on publication right now!)
2. Matti Vanhanen – (surprisingly) gave a very very good speech! Much better than Tarja Halonen.
3. Night at the museum – TAIK gettogether. Nice attendance percent.
Good Luck! All the best! Sincerely.
Design: Rasmus Snabb