Glass designer Erkki Vesanto
Aalto2, Jyväskylä
- 17.1.2024–11.5.2025
Artist Erkki Vesanto (1915–1990) dedicated his career to Finnish glass design at the Iittala glassworks. His work primarily focused on functional glassware design, though he also created art glass and cut crystal pieces.
Artist Erkki Vesanto (1915-1990) was the first designer hired full-time by a Finnish glass factory. He worked at Iittala from 1936 to 1980, leading the Drawing Office (Visual Department) until 1970 before becoming director of the Iittala Factory Museum in 1971. His career began alongside the rise of functionalism, a movement that resonated with his approach to creating pure, practical glassware.
At Iittala, Vesanto’s work included four key areas: designing functional glassware, creating art glass and cut crystal, facilitating collaboration between artists and glassblowers, and overseeing the factory’s catalogs. From 1956 to 1972, he curated and produced Iittala’s catalogs, managed image quality, and organized production. When the Iittala Museum was founded in 1971, he became its first director, a role he held until his retirement in 1980, after a 44-year career.
Intimately familiar with Iittala’s production processes, Vesanto ensured that the museum’s collections and exhibitions increased the factory’s visibility and drew more visitors. An exhibition on his work showcases his functional and artistic glass designs, including both production items and unique pieces, along with drawings, sketches, and film material.
More information on the exhibition:
Mari Murtoniemi
Alvar Aalto Museum
+358 40 355 9162
mari.murtoniemi@alvaraalto.fi
Museum exhibitions
- On a Journey with Elsi and Tove – churches from Teuva to Taulumäki
- The Capital – Samples of Jyväskylä Rap
- Sacred spaces: Community and Continuity in Aaltos’ Architecture
- Johanna Pisto & Team
- Kangas Revisited
- Outimaija Hakala – Metsän kuvia
- Marjo Hallila – Pieces
- Glass designer Erkki Vesanto
- Exploring Central Finland
- AALTO – Work and Life
Museum events
Edut
Osana kulttuurikierrosta
Museum contact details
Aalto2
Alvar Aallon katu 7, 40600 Jyväskylä
+358 44 790 9827
Yhteydet julkisilla
Näytä reitti museolle Matkahuollon reittioppaassa
Katso reitti Matkahuollon reittioppaassa
Päämäärä:
Aalto2, Alvar Aallon katu 7, 40600 Jyväskylä
Lähtöpiste:
Admission fees
17/12/10/3/0€
Payment methods
Korttimaksu ja käteinen.
Card payments and cash.
Opening hours
Mon | Closed |
Tue | 11:00-18:00 |
Wed | 11:00-18:00 |
Thu | 11:00-18:00 |
Fri | 11:00-18:00 |
Sat | 11:00-18:00 |
Sun | 11:00-18:00 |
+358 44 790 9827