In September, Design Evening will take place on 26.09.2023, from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Entry to the museum is free of charge all day
Spinning and talking threads
This September, the Design Evening offers you a chance to learn about thread-spinning: you will be able to try it out, get involved, watch and discuss. Spinning was picked as the 2023 Handicraft Technique of the Year by the Finnish Crafts Organization Taito. During the event, you will see how yarn is made using a spindle and a spinning wheel, you can try out spindle-spinning and even make your own spindle at the workshop. Spinning enthusiasts are invited to join the thread-spinning activities at the Design Museum using their own spindle and materials, working together with the audience members testing the craft. Organised in collaboration with Finnish Crafts Organization Taito and Taito Association of Southern Finland.
Design Evening Programme on 26.09.2023
11 – 20 Free entry to the museum
11, 13:30 and 16, Spindle workshops at the Studio, pre-registration
12–18 Spinning Salon: Ilta Hämäri, Spinning-wheel Whisperer
12–19 Spindle-spinning workshop
17–18 Guided tour in Finnish
18–19 Käsityön äärellä Discussion
19–20 Guided tour in English
Spindle workshops
At 11:00, 13:30 and 16:00 at the Studio, 0th floor
Pre-registration/fee EUR 10
At this workshop, you can make your own thread-spinning spindle! Spindle-spinning is a traditional handicraft technique and a skill that has been used throughout the millennia. At this workshop, you will carve a wooden spindle from a blank. After the workshop, you can try out your new tool and spin threads in the Spinning Salon organised at the exhibition space. You can make beautiful, colourful threads or pick natural tones. This workshop is intended for adults who are interested in wood-carving and making a spindle. You do not need to have any prior wood-carving skills, but manual dexterity is an advantage.
The workshop lasts for 2 hours. Maximum number of participants is 10 per workshop. Languages: Finnish and English. The workshop fee is EUR 10, and you can pay it at the museum cash desk as you arrive. Pre-registration required: sign up for the spindle workshop here.
Spinning Salon: Spinning-wheel whisperer Ilta Hämäri and the art of spindle-spinning
12–18 at the exhibition space for Kustaa Saksi: In the Borderlands exhibition; no advance registration needed.
Ilta Hämäri
The Spinning-wheel Whisperer’s Salon is a place where you can spend time together while spinning thread, learn new things and dive into the secrets of the spinning wheel. Spinning enthusiasts of all skills levels and anyone curious about spinning are invited to join the discussion and get to know each other and this versatile craft. Ilta Hämäri, known as the Spinning-wheel Whisperer, is a folklorist, teacher of traditional handicrafts and this year’s unofficial thread-spinning ambassador. You can ask Ilta just about anything about spinning and handicrafts and are guaranteed to get a thorough answer.
Spindle-spinning workshop
12–19 Kustaa Saksi: In the Borderlands exhibition space; no advance registration needed.
You can watch and try out spindle-spinning and learn more about the craft with the Southern Finland Taito Association at this workshop! You can try out spinning yarn in your favourite colour, with the instructors helping you out with the technique and advising on the different materials that can be used. No prior experience is needed for thread-spinning. Spinning enthusiasts are invited to spin using their own spindle and materials together with the audience trying out the craft.
Start by making your own spindle at the Spindle workshop and join others to try out spinning with your new tool afterwards!
Käsityön äärellä Discussion
Kustaa Saksi: In the Borderlands exhibition space 18–19 / No advance registration needed
Käsityön äärellä discussions take place while engaged in a craft activity. Handicrafts are slow-paced, soothing activities that offer a great opportunity for pondering about life and sharing your thoughts. The themes of the discussion include being present and slowing down for the act of making a handicraft: thread-spinning is a great example of a craft that requires your presence. You can bring your own craft project. The event is open for everyone interested in handicrafts. The discussion is moderated by artist Leena Illukka. Illukka (b. 1962 in Porvoo) works using multi-artist techniques and embroidery, an old and slow-paced handicraft technique. Illukka’s extensive professional expertise is based on her studies at the Porvoo Crafts School, Textile Arts studies at the University of Art and Design Helsinki, teacher studies at Haaga Helia Polytechnic and studies at the Lahti Institute of Design and Fine Arts (Visual Artist, Bachelor of Culture and Arts) and Fine Arts studies in the Saimaa University of Applied Sciences (Visual Artist, Master’s Degree 2). Illukka’s works have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in Finland and internationally, and her works are found in collections both in Finland and abroad.
Accessibility
The entry into the museum is free of charge. Workshop fee for spindle workshops is 10 euros, and pre-registration is required. Guided tours are available in Finnish and English. The Design Museum is an accessible building. More information on the accessibility of the Design Museum is available here.
In collaboration
The event is organised in collaboration with Finnish Crafts Organization Taito and Taito Association of Southern Finland. The Finnish Crafts Organization Taito and its regional associations form the nation-wide Taito Organisation that is the leading producer and advocator of handicraft services in Finland and seeks to promote handicrafts culture and livelihoods in Finland.
Photographs on this page: Kapina Oy
