The 5. Alvar Aalto Researchers’ Network Seminar – Whose Modernism? brings the latest trends of international modernism and Alvar Aalto research to the Aalto2 Museum Centre in Jyväskylä on 14–15 June 2023. Two days and three central themes. The keynote speaker for Wednesday’s Intent theme is the internationally renowned American architectural historian, critic and teacher, Joan Ockman. Authorship questions will be debated on Thursday morning. The keynote speaker that day is Ruth Verde Zein, a respected Brazilian architect and professor of architecture and design from Sao Paolo. Thursday afternoon’s Legacy theme will be led by international award-winning Finnish film director Klaus Härö. The programme includes almost 40 individual presentations from speakers from different parts of the world. Register now for free access to the English-language virtual event or come and listen live to the presenters – there are still a limited number of tickets on sale for the Aalto2 event in June.

The 5. Alvar Aalto Researchers’ Network Seminar – Whose Modernism? gives a voice to researchers, students and others interested in the mysteries of modernism. The presentations of Aalto research include, for instance, examinations of Aalto’s Säynätsalo Town Hall as a complete work of art, the Rautatalo Office Building, the industrial heritage of the Toppila pulp mill, as well as the connections to Aalto by architect Aarne Ervi, MoMA curator Elizabeth Mock and artist László Moholy-Nagy. Also, recent observations from architecture students about Alvar Aalto have been surveyed.

Friends of modern architecture, Alvar Aalto, art history and culture are welcome on 14–15 June 2023 to the Aalto2 Museum hub in Jyväskylä, either live or virtually. Are you interested in how advertising and media have shaped modernism, or the role of women as consumers? How are abandoned modernist urban spaces being used? How is Tel Aviv’s Bauhaus architecture or Singapore’s Pearl Park apartments being restored? What was kitchen design like in Estonia during the Soviet socialist era or the holiday home designs by architect Asta Palm? A new perspective is also offered on artist Diego Rivera and Mexican modernism, as well as Indian modernism in Ahmedabad. Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona pavilion, the concrete architecture of the 1960s–1970s, Nigeria’s first university buildings and the theoretical thinking of Finnish architect Timo Penttilä, to name just a few, will be discussed. Furthermore, did you know about architect Walter Gropius’s influence in Britain or architect Antonio Vilar’s influence in his home country of Argentina? These are just a small selection from the versatile programme. The accompanying programme includes, for instance, guided tours to the recent exhibitions of the Aalto2 Museum Centre.

The event location, the Aalto2, is a new meeting place for architecture, design and cultural heritage. It consists of two buildings designed by Alvar Aalto – the Alvar Aalto Museum (1971–73, 2023) and the Museum of Central Finland (1956–61, 1991, 2019) – together with a new extension, which is being built to connect them (A-Konsultit, 2023). The City of Jyväskylä is the main partner of the event. Other partners are Aalto University, Artek, the Cumulus Association, ICOMOS Finland, the Finnish Heritage Agency, and the Museum of Finnish Architecture.

What researcher network?
The Alvar Aalto Researchers’ Network serves as a discussion channel and a builder of connections between international Alvar Aalto researchers. Through the network, topics of interest to Aalto research are brought to the fore. The Alvar Aalto Academy, which is part of the Alvar Aalto Foundation, is responsible for organising the network’s events.

Join the international Alvar Aalto Researchers’ Network Facebook group.
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5. Alvar Aalto Researchers’ Network Seminar – Whose Modernism?
Time: 14–15 June 2023
Place: Aalto2 Museum Centre, Alvar Aalto katu 7, Jyväskylä

Tickets:
Basic ticket €180
Student ticket €50
Virtual €0 (free admission)
Registration and tickets here.

Further reading:
Alvar Aalto Foundation
The Alvar Aalto 125 anniversary year
Aalto2 Museum Centre

Further information:
Nina Heikkonen
Programme manager, Alvar Aalto Foundation
+358 44 500 1257
nina.heikkonen@alvaraalto.fi

Aila Svenskberg
Communications, Editor, Alvar Aalto Foundation
+358 40 659 1930
aila.svenskberg@alvaraalto.fi

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the birth of Alvar Aalto (1898−1976). The architects and pioneers of modern design Alvar, Aino and Elissa Aalto made exceptionally rich and varied careers for themselves in Finland and abroad. During the year, the Alvar Aalto Foundation – along with its partners in collaboration – will be putting the spotlight on the story of Alvar Aalto’s architect’s office (1923−1994) and on the ideas that influenced its work, ideas that are still relevant today.