Alvar Aalto, the Magic of the North

With La Cité de l’Architecture & du Patrimoine putting on a retrospective of his work until 1st July, Alvar Aalto continues to captivate the public. This fascination stems from him being the most famous Finnish architect of the last century and also from the way in which his designs have been exported, establishing themselves in interiors all over the world. At The Socialite Family, creations produced by Artek – the publishing house founded by the artist with his first wife Aino Aalto with the aim of sharing his work – have worked wonderfully in contemporary decors for many years now. A functional style with a hint of sensuality, all depicted through curves, which made his name. Alvar Aalto was the son of a land surveyor. His father’s exploration of the forest, day after day, had a real effect on him. Throughout his life, nature was his main source of inspiration. He threw himself into depicting the mountains of his homeland. Organic shapes which are repeated time and time again, from his iconic Savoy vase to his wavy pine screens and the ceilings of the Viipuri library. Behaviour closely linked to the art to which he felt so connected. Both fields involve work on shapes and materials, along with a combination of all disciplines. Many of his friends – from Alexander Calder to Fernand Léger – influenced him immensely. Alvar Aalto even went as far as designing a house for one of them (the art dealer Louis Carré), From the door handles to the roof. Villa Carré, like his other architectural creations, put people at the heart of the space. A concern which was central to the Wizard of the North’s creative process during his lifetime.

Alvar Aalto. Architect and designer, from 9th March to 1st July 2018 in the lower gallery for temporary exhibitions at La Cité de l’Architecture & du Patrimoine. 1 place du Trocadéro et du 11 novembre – 75016 Paris