Held during Helsinki Design Week, the exhibition The Making of Modern Living invites visitors to Artek 2nd Cycle to experience the atmosphere of Artek’s very first store, which opened in 1936 on Helsinki’s Fabianinkatu.
The Artek store was not merely a place to buy furniture, but also a cultural space. It embodied the ideals of Aino and Alvar Aalto, Maire Gullichsen and Nils-Gustav Hahl: the fusion of art and technology, and the promotion of “a modern way of living”.
Since then, Artek has remained a fixture of Helsinki’s street life, offering a compelling and tangible expression of the founders’ vision. We invite you to step back in time.
'The Making of Modern Living' exhibition is open from August 25, 2026 at the Artek 2nd Cycle.
Mon–Fri 11–6
| Hours | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Venue | Artek 2nd Cycle |
| Type | Exhibition |
| Duration | 10 Days |
| City | Helsinki |
About
Artek 2nd Cycle
Artek 2nd Cycle is Artek’s platform for pre-loved Finnish design: it buys and sells rediscovered furniture, lighting and other everyday objects, giving them a second cycle in their lives. In doing so, Artek 2nd Cycle celebrates the character and beauty that these timeless designs gain through daily use, preserving their qualities through a process of careful, considered reconditioning. The Artek 2nd Cycle project started in 2006, when Artek began collecting second-hand furniture designed by Alvar and Aino Aalto, tracking it down everywhere from flea markets and yard sales to old factories, schools and shipyards. In 2011, the Artek 2nd Cycle store opened its doors in the heart of Helsinki. Over time, its focus has expanded to encompass a wide range of pre-loved Finnish design, including lighting, carpets, ceramics, tableware and fine-art prints, from the early 20th century to today.
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