Godiva 50th anniversary
We collaborated with Godiva, Japan on their 50th anniversary, creating a special gift box for Valentine's Day this year.
We collaborated with Godiva, Japan on their 50th anniversary, creating a special gift box for Valentine's Day this year.
We created a Winter Fantasy for some of the most prestigious shopping malls in China.
The seed of inspiration for the new Klaus Haapaniemi collection was planted around 400 years ago in a forest near x. In 1687, a very special tree started growing in this forest inhabited by bears and other animals as well as a native community of people who lived in harmony with the woods, respecting and honouring nature and the resources it provided.
While years and decades past, the woodland witnessed many cold winters and hot summers. The Tree grew older and almost like a magnet, it attracted and intrigued wise and sensitive people. The tree was believed to have supernatural powers.
For centuries this strangely magnetic and mysterious forest where Timi is growing has attracted people, particularly women, drawn by the supernatural. In the past, these women were believed to be witches who often ended up being burned, together with the wood from the very trees they were drawn to and connected to due to the powers they believed and felt the trees to have.
Today, we acknowledge that these people felt and experienced things others couldn’t. We see them as spiritual healers. People who support others in their journey to connect to something bigger and more meaningful, intuition and deeper connection.
Klaus Haapaniemi’s collection draws its inspiration from these dark magical forests. In its core, this collection is an ode to the women who for centuries have been sensitive, wise and brave enough to see and experience beyond the established views and norms. The women with a connection to the deepest secrets and forces of nature.
For Exhibition 10 at STUDIO 4 BERLIN, Klaus Haapaniemi & Co. return with their new collection Puu (transl. “Tree”), which is inspired by a special tree that is over 400 years old and known for its spiritual forces. For centuries, this tree has attracted people, particularly women, drawn by the supernatural. In the past, they were often labeled as witches and ended up being burned alive. In its core, the new collection is an ode to these women with a connection to the deepest secrets and forces of nature.
Klaus Haapaniemi & Co's designs are presented alongside rare Asian antiquities, such as a Chinese opium bed and a cloisonné alabaster lamp from the late Qing/early Republican era (19th century). Chairs from the Biedermeyer period have been specifically upholstered with fabrics designed by Klaus Haapaniemi & Co., uniting contemporary art with classical design of the late 19th century.
On occasion of the exhibition, Klaus Haapaniemi & Co. commissioned a video-work by Finnish photographer and film-maker Perttu Saksa as well as a kaleidoscopic animation by 3D-artist and motion-designer Vilja Achté with music by Timo Kaukolampi and Tuomo Puranen; both films are on view during the evening hours at STUDIO 4 BERLIN.
Opening Hours:
12 November — 23 December 2021
Wed. to Fri. 12—6pm
Sat. 11am—4pm
and by appointment
curated by Mia Wallenius & Anne Schwarz
Together with the ‘Himmelblau’ printmaking workshop in Tampere, Haapaniemi has produced a nine-part series of etchings entitled ‘Xenia’ over the past few years, which will be exhibited alltogether for the first time at STUDIO 4 BERLIN. Fish, sea creatures, birds, snails and insects, mushrooms and fruits inhabit these whimsical and narrative compositions - frogs hide in open shells and flowers, a screeching purple rooster poses on an octopus head. Mika Minetti, head of culture at the Finnland-Institut, writes: “The artist created this series with drypoint and aquatint, drawing directly on metal plates without preliminary sketches. For each colour appearing in the etchings, a separate plate was prepared and then printed in the renowned ‘Himmelblau’ printmaking workshop in Tampere, Finland. These unique compositions spin together elements from his magical universe that comprises design, visual arts and luxurious fashion.”
A limited edition leporello leaflet with a text by Mika Minetti will be available at the exhibition.
You are welcome to visit the gallery at Krumme Straße 35 - 36 in Berlin Charlottenburg: open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and by appointment.
We have created the seasonal campaign Celebration of Life for the luxury shopping mall Ginza Six in Tokyo. The Astral Sea whales have been transformed to 15m long to the traditional illuminated nebuta floats made of bamboo and steel frame and covered in washi paper. The dark nordic forest, planets, sea turtles, jellyfish and red swan swim in space with the whales.
Read More about the Celebration of Life campaign at the Ginza Six website
Klaus Haapaniemi has added 5 new works to Xenia series of etchings made with drypoint and aquatint, making this series of curious still life compositions now nine works. The Xenia works have repeating elements, frogs, bees, birds, fish and mushrooms that become a part of new composition in each work.
Each work is printed in edition of 40, they are signed and available to purchase from Himmelblau or through us.