This week, Helsinki celebrates one of its unique features: Finnish Design. There are exhibitions and design projects all over the city. From guided tours through the well-known design district to open workshops and studios, there is much to see and enjoy, if you're into design or just love pretty things. Today I decided to visit the popular Helsinki Design Market. I found out just how popular it is, when I claustrophobically fought my way through the masses...it felt like a shopping trip to Primark on a Saturday during Christmas season or a visit to the party in project-X. But, see for yourselves:
But they sold soooo many beautiful things! It's probably a good thing I'm not particularly liquid right now otherwise I would have been tempted to buy the place empty...
It would have been an awesome place to see and just rummage around, but with all those people around it was rather exhausing. So we grabbed lunch at a Unicafé nearby and visited the Finland National Museum. According to the internet page of the Design Week, there was supposed to be an exhibition with contemporary design, too. Well, they had interesting exhibitions, but I expected more of the promised exhibitions on Finnish Design. You cannot even call it an exhibition, it was kind of sad! There were simply three little installations, one was not even dedicated a room but a lousy hallway. I don't know, but I kind of expected more! Anyway, there is probably more to see around the city, so maybe I'll check it out this week.
I was wondering, were those people really that ugly back then, or did the artist simply suck at his job?!
And what is going on with Jesus's toe?!!!
I found this lovely design necklace which features the Finnish national symbol: the bear. I love it :).
All in all, today was a good day!
On Monday, my classes will start properly (this weeks I only had three courses). I'll finally get to learn some Finnish I will actually be able to use here. I'll keep you posted!