ROME-- Arctic design continues to conquer the world. This time in the form of Kiela –Design from Lapland –an exhibition that collects together the works of a group of northern design companies during the prestigious Tortona Design Week.

The exhibition also showcases works of upcoming designers from the University of Lapland and traditional Sámi handicrafts from the Sámi Duodji association.

Tortona Design Week is part of the world famous Milan Design Week, taking place from April 9th to 14th in one of the design capitals of the world. Within this massive event, Tortona Design Week alone gathered over 110　000 visitors with its 200 exhibitors. Press, talent scouts and design professional from all over the world come to the city to get a feel of the future of design.

Kiela –Design from Lapland showcases in one of the most central locations of the week, in the courtyard of Opficio 31 industrial complex. Full of light, this open space is a perfect venue for exhibiting products from northern design companies that share the love for timeless design and clearly defined style.

In this collective exhibition, the foundations for design in Lapland are clearly visible. Nature and tradition combined with cutting edge technologies, the cold and the wild, sustainability and appreciation of craft welcome the visitors to Kiela. Kiela is the Finnish name for the hondo of the reindeer lasso called suopunki, which is traditionally used to catch reindeer when they are separated from the herd.

In the exhibition, Kiela is a metaphor for gathering together designers from different design scenes. The companies exhibiting in Kiela are: Arkkitehtitoimisto N-A-M, Hornwork, JAUR, Kaisa Sirén, Keramiikkapaja Maari,Littlefinland.fi, Paperivalo, Puusepänliike Pihlaja and Sámi Duodji. In addition, Kiela showcases works of upcoming designers from the University of Lapland: Reetta Eskola, Elina Hilden, Netta Korhonen, Jenni Marttila, Helka Mäkinen, Pirita Norvanto, Riikka Oikarainen, Heidi Ollikainen, Jukka Pirinen, Janne Sipilä, Juhani Näränen and Iines Partanen.

Design from Lapland, Northern Finland, draws inspiration from the extremes. The location on the Arctic Circle, the cold and the wild, the traditions and cutting edge technologies combined with the delicate relationship to nature can be seen in the exhibition Kiela – Design from Lapland., Finland and its northern location in Lapland and drawing inspiration from Arctic nature and natural materials are the common denominators for the designers participating in Kiela – Design from Lapland.

The designers share ambition for a clearly defined design style, sustainability, timelessness and the belief that less is more. Nature and traditions are strong foundations for design in Lapland. Re-inventing and discovering fresh means of expression result in design that combines the demands of the modern-day, world-class expertise and creative thinking.

Kiela – Design from Lapland sets up in Tortona Design Week at Opificio 31.

Its is organized by the WDC 2012 Helsinki–Rovaniemi project. The northern city of Rovaniemi, Rovaniemi Regional Development Agency Ltd and University of Lapland promote the arctic perspective on design; combining arctic requirements, top research as well as education, the expertise of creative industry enterprises and northern culture. To see and experience more Arctic Design, visit the World’s Northernmost Design Week – Rovaniemi Design Week in February 2014. Impressions of 2013 artic ambiance available on Rovaniemi Design Week’s website: http://www.rovaniemidesignweek.fi/en/

Visit Kiela – Design from Lapland at Tortona Design Week in: Arcon (Opificio 31), Via Tortona 31, Milano

The exhibition is open 9 – 14 April, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.