Tank chair to remain in Artek repertoire
New products could also be produced abroad
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By Hannu Pöppönen
"If we think about the present Alvar Aalto models, some products will be dropped, but they will be replaced by new ones from the archives", says Ahti Antikainen, who is continuing as managing director of Artek.
He is also on the management team of Art & Technology, which decides which products in Artek’s selection are to be kept on the market.
"Of the Aalto classics, the Tank chair, the Paimio chair, and the tea trolley will remain. They would stay even if they were not successful products. In fact, they are."
One example of the retro style items that will be re-introduced will be a piece by Aino Aalto, which can function as a television stand.
The manufacture of Aalto’s furniture will continue in Finland, but some of the new products could also be manufactured abroad.
"We must take into consideration, for instance, Italy’s skills in the manufacture of furniture, and the advantages offered by the Baltic States."
The Noomi chair, designed by Vesa Damsk, is one Artek product that is currently manufactured in Sweden.
Antikainen welcomes the new corporate structure. Last year Proventus shut down its subsidiary Snowcrash, and has sold Kinnasand, a textile enterprise that it owned.
"Artek is now the core around which we will finally be building", he says with relief.
Tom Dixon also sees the new investment company as a successful idea.
"It has saved Artek. If we were in Britain, Artek would have disappeared long ago, or turned into something different. Over there investors are interested in a quick return."
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 27.8.2004
More on this subject:
 New age dawning at Artek
BACKGROUND: Tom Dixon - a self-educated designer
Links:
Artek products
The Artek Tank chair, officially known as Armchair 400
The Paimio chair, designed by Alvar Aalto in the early 1930s.
HANNU PÖPPÖNEN / Helsingin Sanomat
hannu.popponen@hs.fi
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