|
|
PRESENTATION
THE ARTISANS, DESIGNERS AND ARTISTS OF FISKARS CO-OPERATIVE History Industrial activity in the old Fiskars Ironworks (est. 1649) ceased during 1980's. While Fiskars Corporation grew and increasingly set its emphasis on international markets, the ironworks could no longer house sufficiently large production units; the plants were relocated in Billnäs Ironworks or driven down. The professionally active age group moved out, houses were left uninhabited and services withered. The beautiful surroundings and vacant premises lured a number of craftsmen, designers and artists to the village. By 1993 more than 20 professionals in the fields of crafts, design and arts had moved to the village, and gradually an idea of a group exhibition grew within the community.
In 1994 a small group started setting up the first exhibition. The aim was from the beginning to make the exhibition a broad-minded display of craftsmanship, design and art, focusing on high quality. The 1st Exhibition was a true success both with the public and the critics. The positive welcome encouraged the organizers to continue and develop their concept in the years to come.
The founding of the co-operative In 1996 there were already thirty professionals from diverse fields living and working in the village, and the broadening scale of the exhibitions made it necessary to establish a firmer base for the community’s activities. The co-operative for the artisans, designers and artists of Fiskars was founded, and a full time executive director was appointed. The membership has grown considerably during the years: today there are 92 members, representing just about all the arts and crafts imaginable – the majority of them cabinet-makers, ceramists, visual artists and industrial designers. The aim of the Co-operative is to promote the members' business and industries. To this end, the Co-operative arranges exhibitions and acts as an agent for the members by selling their products and services. The membership elects from their own number a board to work alongside the executive director and the artistic and gallery shop committees in directing the operations and development.
Exhibitions The most visible aspect of the activities of the Co-operative are the exhibitions. To date, the artisans, designers and artists of Fiskars have assembled 17 local exhibitions with varied themes. Fiskars has become an established showroom of high-class Finnish arts and crafts; the exhibitions are among the most prominent yearly events in the field, and they are endowed with ample publicity and attendance. The exhibitions have witnessed a steady growth in attendance and are now visited by c. 25 000 guests each year.
The main exhibition
each year is the joint exhibition in the tradition of the 1st exhibition.
Here, products and pieces of art made by the members are on display.
Members of the Co-operative have furthermore had their products and works of art displayed on other forums around Finland and abroad. Among their renowned hosts are such venues as the London Barbican Centre, New York American Craft Museum and Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain in Nice.
ONOMA Shop In connection with the first exhibitions a small gallery was started. In 1998 it was moved to its own, more adequate premises, and is now housed in the Clock Tower Building right at the centre of Fiskars. The shop was therewith renamed Onoma. Onoma shop retails a broad selection of products manufactured by the members of the Co-operative.
Awards The Co-operative has over the
years received significant awards for its efforts: Download as PDF-file (presentation, list of exhibitions and members)
|
