What was once old has become new again, or so it goes with the Artek re-issue of Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara’s Kiki Collection. A winner of the gold prize at Milan’s 1960 Triennale, the collection illustrated a stylistic evolution of the interior architect’s preference for local organic material into something more industrial.
Similar pieces were first formed from solid birch that was found in Finland in the 1940s. It was in the 50s’ when Tapiovaara began utilizing steel tubing and plywood in the pieces he designed. The concept for Kiki was conceived when Tapiovaara was interested in creating chairs whose stackability was a key feature of their utility, and could be employed in a space like an auditorium to seat larger groups of people. And in 1960, Kiki arrived.
This transition to a cleaner form was a success for Tapiovaara, and the popularity of Kiki contributed to the future direction of furniture design for that era.
Artek’s re-edition of the timeless Kiki Collection consists of a full range of chairs, tables, lounge chairs, benches and sofas. Upholstery available in a variety of colors.
Kiki Chair: Steel frame, lacquered black. Seat form pressed birch plywood, PU foam and Dacron, fabric or leather upholstery. Stackable.
Dimensions: 18.5″ w x 17.3″ d x 29.1″ h x
seat: 17.7″ h
Kiki Stool: Steel frame, lacquered black. Seat form pressed birch plywood, PU foam and Dacron, upholstered with fabric or leather. Stackable.
Dimensions: 18.5″ w x 14.6″ d x 17.7″ h
Kiki Bench: Steel frame, lacquered black. Seat PU foam and Dacron, upholstered with fabric or leather. Available as one-seater, two seater or three-seater.
Dimensions: 23.6″ w x 21.3″ d x 15.4″ h; 45.6″ w x 21.3″ d x 15.4″ h; 68.1″ w x 21.3″ d x 15.4″ h.
Kiki Sofa: Steel frame, lacquered black. Seat PU foam and Dacron, upholstered with fabric or leather.
Available as a two-seater or three-seater.
Dimensions: 45.7″ w x 29.5″ d x 26.8″ h x seat: 15.4″ h; 68.1″ w x 29.5″ d x 26.8″ h x seat: 15.4″ h
Kiki Table: Steel frame, lacquered black. Veneer or laminate top.
Available in square or rectangular tops.
Dimensions: 35.4″ L x 35.4″ d x 29.1″ h; 55.1″ L x 35.4″ d x 29.1″ h
Kiki Lounge Chair: Steel frame, lacquered black. Seat PU foam and Dacron, upholstered with fabric or leather.
Dimensions: 23.6″ w x 29.5″ d x 26.7″ h x
seat: 15.4″ h
Kiki Side Table: Steel frame, lacquered black. Veneer or laminate top.
Dimensions: 23.6″ L x 23.6″ d x 16.5″ h
Kiki Sofa Table: Steel frame, lacquered black. Veneer or laminate top.
Dimensions: 55.1″ L x 23.6″ d x 16.5″ h
designer: tapiovaara
producer: artek
materials: steel piping, fabric, birch plywood, leather
period: 1960
design award: gold prize at Milan’s 1960 Triennale
