Visitors of the exhibition will also be able to enjoy film projections about his life and work: The Studio Aalto, Alvar Aalto’s Journey to the Summer and The Aalto House

The status of Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) as the one of the great pioneers of 20th century architecture and one of the great masters of Scandinavian design is widely acknowledged throughout the world. Aalto created his own unique style of architecture and design inspired by man and nature. He believed that good design should be a part of everyday life – therefore he created sensible products that enhance everyday living. His stylistic evolution makes up an interesting chapter in the history of architecture – from the classicism of the 1920s to the severe functionalism of the 1930s, and further to his distinctive free style based on the harmony of nature and everyday human needs. But through his innovative insights in the field of furniture design, his name also occupies an important place in the history of the industrial arts. Nevertheless, one single object could have guaranteed him his worldwide reputation: the Aalto vase. Its unorthodox free form embodies all the features that are synonymous with Aalto’s unique style of architectural design.

The exhibition Alvar Aalto – Timeless Expressions highlights one-family houses and designs by Alvar Aalto. Buildings are presented through a selection of photographs, architectural drawings, scale models of Villa Mairea, The Aalto House, Maison Louis Carré and Muuratsalo Experimental House, Aalto’s furniture, design objects like The Aalto Vase, also known as the Savoy Vase 1936, Aalto Flower 1939, other glassware and textiles. Visitors will even have a chance to peek into the large scale Interior model of the Villa Mairea.

The primary focus is on Aalto’s humane approach to spaces for living with examples from different stylistic periods 1924–72 throughout his long career.

An accompanying exhibition Aalto and Slovenes will explore parallels between Aalto and the work of Slovenian designers in the same period.

The exhibition Alvar Aalto – Timeless Expressions was organized by the Museum of Architecture and Design