Tuesday 31 May 2011

The most inspiring event of the year in Helsinki?


This month I had a chance to be one of the main organizers of what one of my very good friend called “the most inspiring event of the year” in Helsinki. The Recycling Factory event was organized already for the fourth time, and this year it attracted around 9000 people to the Cable Factory, close to the centre of Helsinki. The idea is to gather the eco-design minded companies from the cloth and jewellery field together in a fair like spirit. In addition there were workshops, on stage program, and a seminar on energy. Everyone praised the relaxed atmosphere of this free of charge event. We do have wonderful people also at the association that organize the event, and preparations for the next year’s event have already started full speed! More information on Recycling Factory event and photos: http://www.kierratystehdas.fi/front-page/

 The venue: Cable Factory in Helsinki 

 One of my favourite exhibitors: Evolum, and the artist himself, Jukka Isotalo

More art works from Evolum 

Everything is made out of used material by Rautaharakat (my other favourite)

Surprising and personal Pirunpaja 

Inspiring bike 

Beautiful ecological design by Ainokainen. I like her feminine style

Saturday 23 April 2011

Istanbul's delight

I have been to Istanbul dozens of times, but this time I saw something I have not seen in Turkey before: a recycling art gallery! It is called "Döndöndön Durmadan", and it is situated on Yeni Çarşı Cad, just a bit down from the Goethe Institut, on the other side of the street. Kamile had established the gallery just in the end of last year. Her brother Leon is a metalsmith jeweler, working in New Jersey. The amazing products sold were made by the two siblings. They got all the material from the trash (of which there is loads in Istanbul), which was impressive. Among other things there were earings, made of plastic bottles, with the help of the molds, and dream jarls, that described a persons dream. - A true Turkish delight for me! More in Turkish: http://dondondondurmadan.wordpress.com/


Kamile in her gallery
Materials found from the trash
Jewellery made with different technique, including rolling the paper

One of the dream jarls, this describes a fisher, dreaming of a good weather and many other things...

One example of a pair of earings

Jewellery