"ICE BREAKER" DOUBLE OLD FASHIONED 2035

TAPIO WIRKKALA｜1915-1985｜FINLAND

Tapio Wirkkala was one of the most important figures in leading Finnish design to international success, and one of the most prominent designers of the 20th century.
His work truly began after winning the Karhula-Iittala glass design competition in 1946, and he established his global reputation through his exhibition design for the Finnish pavilion at the Milan Triennale in 1951.

He worked in a wide range of fields including glass, woodworking, metalwork, and ceramics, collaborating with many companies such as Iittala, Kultakeskus, and Rosenthal.
He transcended genres, from mass-produced products to one-of-a-kind art glass and sculptures, seamlessly bridging different domains such as nature and geometry, craft and industrial production, and art and utilitarian objects.
Through his aesthetic forms based on a deep understanding of materials, he achieved a high-level fusion of artistry and industrial production.

At the core of his creative approach was the "sense of touch," and he implemented a unique design process that involved drawing hundreds of sketches, creating models to thoroughly examine forms, and repeatedly making prototypes.
He was also strongly influenced by the nature of Lapland, and its landscapes and ice formations served as inspiration for many of his works.

He received numerous awards, including the Lunning Prize (1956) and Grand Prix awards in three categories (exhibition, glass, and wooden sculpture) at the Milan Triennale (1954 and 1957).