After the success of the last edition, with a focus on Roots, this year the organizers of Habitare have chosen the theme Mindspace. The design and interior decor fair of Helsinki is held in the trade fair complex of Messukeskus from 11 to 15 September.
The theme Mindspace sets out to explore the regions that exist between the material and the intangible, the real and the imaginary. The exhibition for the promotion (above all) of Finnish design is of great visual impact, with an accent on interaction: the visitors – almost 90% of which are consumers, in a total of 56,000 – become characters inside a story.
Laura Sarvilinna (here is our interview from last year), creative director of Habitare, presents the event: “We want to encourage the participating brands to present themselves to consumers with the same level of expertise and dedication they would offer to the professionals who visit the fair. To know companies and to interact with them is fundamental for both professionals and consumers, and this is Habitare’s strong point, which makes the fair unique.”
The exhibition design has been entrusted to the designer Laura Väinölä, who for the occasion has created The Shades, an installation inspired by the theme of Mindspace that plays with aspects of Surrealism, diverse realities and the imagination.
There is also room for Italy. Since 2016 Habitare has invited an outstanding figure in the world of design each year, in the role of an International Friend. In 2019 the International Friend of Habitare is Alberto Alessi, president of the Italian design company Alessi, who says: “I have great admiration for Finnish expertise in terms of design. It comes as no surprise that Alessi has worked with many Finnish designers, such as Harri Koskinen, Kristiina Lassus, Eero Aarnio and Stefan Lindfors.”
This year too, don’t miss Habitare Pro, an exclusive B2B event featuring a program of international talks; and the exhibitions Protoshop and Talentshop which offer young designers a chance to introduce themselves to the world of design.
Trend analyst Susanna Björklund and the designer Sisse Collander curate Signals, an experiential, unique and multisensory exhibition of Habitare. Renaissance, Glamour, Dream World, Nude and Pure are the 5 main themes of the show.
Design is inclusive, and especially it is for all ages. Hence the area Habi Kids providing a chance for creative play, where young visitors can throw dice and move around on a Monopoly board.
