By Arabia, Birger Kaipiainen
Located in Helsinki, FI
Birger Kaipiainen saw the world through a surreal and symbolic filter that made it more joyful, flowerful, and certainly more colourful.
However, during times of grief, as when he lost his wife Maggi in 1966, he turned to blues, blacks and violets.
Another such period was when Kaipiainen lost his dear friend, the Marimekko's founder and designer, Armi Ratia in 1979.
Birger and Armi used to spend a lot of time at her legendary Bökars Mansion that had a wonderful veranda adorned with columns and chandeliers.
Armi's loss was reflected in a few of Kaipiainen's works from that period. In those works (see last pics of dishes from the book Kaipiainen by Maria Berg) his interpretation of the duality of life and death was obvious. Also the symbolism bridging the two was present (reflection, bridges, boats, flowing waters). We can also see pansy flowers that he frequently used after the loss of his wife.
In this unique dish, Kaipiainen used a lot of the above colours and elements, and just as Armi was the soul of their legendary parties, he introduced the golden harp...
Category
1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Trimming Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
