Venues: The Aalto University and Kiasma, Helsinki



Toshiko Mori Principal at Toshiko Mori Architect. She established the firm in New York City in 1981. The firm has been noted for its intelligent approach to historical context, ecologically sensitive strategies, and innovative use of materials, creatively integrating design and technology. Current work includes projects for New York City’s Department of Design and Construction and for the Department of Parks and Recreation, institutional projects for Syracuse University and Brown University, a master plan for New York University, as well as residences in New York, Massachusetts, Taiwan and Mongolia.



Mori also recently designed the Eleanor and Wilson Greatbatch Pavilion, the Visitor Center at Frank Lloyd Wrights Darwin D. Martin House Complex and the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Innovations, Syracuse, New York.



Toshiko Mori was chair of the Department of Architecture at Harvard from 2002 to 2008. She has been a visiting faculty member at Columbia University and Yale University, where she was the Eero Saarinen Visiting Professor in 1992.



Marika Wachtmeister is the Founder of Open Art Museum at Wanås Slott, Sweden. Wachtmeister was a lawyer. However, as she lived at Wanås Slott (Castle) she had the idea of inviting contemporary artists to a place in the countryside in a part of Sweden lacking contemporary art. This was at a time when many artists found it difficult to place their sculptures and installations. Her purpose was to invigorate Wanås and broaden local interest in contemporary art.



The Foundation was established by Marika Wachtmeister in 1987. In 2011 the Wanås Foundation took a step into the future and introduced new leadership by Elisabeth Millqvist, Artistic Director, and Mattias Givell, Project Director. Together they share the management responsibilities and continue to strengthen the international profile of contemporary art at Wanås. The permanent collection of the Wanås Foundation consists of nearly 50 outdoor installations and sculptures.



The seminar was a collaboration between Aalto University, Sitra and Hjelt Art Foundation.