Brilliance 24 hr
Alvar Aalto & Viljo Hirvonen & Valaistustyö Ky

This exhibition tells the story of the cooperation that took place between master metalworker Viljo Hirvonen and architect Alvar Aalto from 1953 to 1975. The exhibition also focuses on Viljo Hirvonen’s own work and on the activities of his company Valaistustyö Ky.

From the moment Valaistustyö Ky was founded in Helsinki in 1952, the firm was the principle producer of the light fittings designed by Alvar Aalto. Countless different light fittings were produced under Viljo Hirvonen’s skilled direction, fittings which subsequently acquired such popular nick-names as, Golden Bell, Bilberry, Flying Saucer, or Beehive...

The exhibition provides an opportunity to take a peep into the fascinating world of light fitting production. Aalto and Hirvonen were both excited about developments in lighting. The architect valued the professional skill of the master metal-worker and described their collaboration as follows: “...these jobs involving metal are done in such a way that the source is my sketch and then an exchange of ideas evolves through countless experiments, which eventually leads us to the desired result. In this respect, director Hirvonen’s skill, interest and self-sacrifice have had a major positive effect on the quality and overall standard of the results.”

Valaistustyö Ky also produced a number of small objects for the Artek retail range. Copper and brass were used to make coffee pots, sugar bowls and cream jugs, candle-sticks, mirrors, trays and watering cans, designed by a number of people including Maija Heikinheimo, Hellevi Ojanen and Viljo Hirvonen, the master metal-worker himself.

Jewellery brings an interesting dimension to the exhibition. Jewellery designed by Alvar Aalto for his nearest and dearest is on display alongside Viljo Hirvonen’s own jewellery designs.

The objects in the exhibition are from the collections of the Alvar Aalto Museum and from private collections. The material is largely based on the Viljo Hirvonen Valaistustyö Collection which was deposited with the Alvar Aalto Museum in 2009. The visual appearance of the exhibition has been designed by Jyväskylä designer Jonas Hakaniemi. A book about the exhibition will be published in 2011.