Oleellisille – For the essentilas

What is essential? What do we long for and need this Christmas—what makes everyday life good and the holidays joyful? And what do we want to give as gifts to friends? All our choices impact not only our own well-being and that of our loved ones, but also the state of the planet. Designer Aini Alastalo has also explored the theme of meaningfulness and essentiality in her sculpture series Oleellisille, “For the Essential”, which is on display in the windows of our Erottajankatu store until the end of the year.

“Oleellisille is a scalable series of works built around sturdy aspen trunks, on which shelves of various sizes are placed. The choice of aspen as the material for the sculptures is rooted in traditional Finnish woodworking from a time when objects were made out of necessity—to fill gaps in everyday life with essential things. True to their name, the sculptures are places for exactly these objects. They invite the viewer to examine both our surroundings and the things we own. In front of these works, one can pause to reflect on the significance of important items—or leave space for emptiness. The massive structure combined with the minimal storage space underscores the intended purpose of the sculptures.”

Aini carved the pieces herself from solid aspen. In recent years, she has focused particularly on craft-based practice and material research. She is interested in how materials carry memories and how working with one’s hands can bring forth thoughts that would not otherwise take verbal form. “Carving was a very physical and surprisingly memory-filled process for me. I intentionally worked with primitive hand tools so that the material’s own rhythm and resistance could guide the making. Slowness and repetition helped me immerse myself in both the properties of aspen and my own material memories, and at times the process felt almost meditative. The wood brought childhood experiences to the surface and made the work deeply personal.”

We hope that this Christmas, you find something essential—a moment of peace, a thoughtful gift, or a new perspective on the world around you.