91-Year-Old 'Punk Grandfather' Of Design Shocks Industry Again

In the annals of contemporary design, few figures loom as large as Yrjö Kukkapuro, the legendary Finnish designer whose innovative creations have shaped the landscape of 20th-century furniture design. Now, at the venerable age of 91, Kukkapuro is set to reintroduce one of his most iconic pieces to a new generation of design enthusiasts.

This fall, Swedish design brand Hem is partnering with Kukkapuro and Studio Kukkapuro to bring back the legendary Experiment Chair, a bold and expressive piece that epitomizes the designer's creative prowess and the postmodern ethos of the 1980s. First unveiled at the Milan furniture fair in 1982, the Experiment Chair quickly became a symbol of Kukkapuro's self-described "postmodern explosion"—a period of unbridled creativity that produced some of his most daring and influential work.

"I created the postmodern Experiment collection for the Milan fair of 1982, which I consider to be the greatest success of my career," Kukkapuro said in a statement. "I'm really happy that Experiment is getting a new life and will be launched again by Hem." This renaissance, after a near three-decade hiatus, speaks volumes about its timeless allure and cultural resonance. Kukkapuro's indelible mark on design is evidenced by his work gracing the permanent collections of prestigious institutions worldwide, including New York's Museum of Modern Art, London's Victoria and Albert Museum, and Stockholm's National Museum of Art. Known as the "punk grandfather" of Finnish design, Kukkapuro has consistently pushed the envelope, challenging design orthodoxies throughout his illustrious career. His innovative spirit is perhaps best exemplified by the Karuselli chair, a piece The New York Times once lauded as "the most comfortable chair in the world"—a testament to Kukkapuro's genius that continues to be manufactured to this day.

The Experiment Chair, with its chrome-plated tubular frame and distinctively shaped wooden armrests, represents a perfect balance of form and function. The chair's ergonomic design ensures comfort, while its bold aesthetic—particularly the playful, sculptural armrests—makes a strong visual statement. In a nod to elemental symbolism, the armrests are available in red (representing fire), green (for trees), and blue (for lake waves), with a new black option added to the lineup.

Petrus Palmér, founder of Hem, expressed his excitement about the collaboration: "Yrjö has always been ahead of his time, and as a major trailblazer in furniture design, his signature style and thoughtful constructions are still at the cutting edge. We're beyond excited to bring the Experiment Chair back." The reintroduction of the Experiment Chair comes at a pivotal moment in Kukkapuro's career. Coinciding with the chair's relaunch is the publication of The Blue Door, a comprehensive biography penned by the designer's daughter, Isa Kukkapuro-Enbom. This book promises to offer unprecedented insights into Kukkapuro's life and work, further cementing his status as a titan of 20th-century design.

For those unfamiliar with Kukkapuro's oeuvre, the Experiment Chair serves as an excellent entry point. It encapsulates the designer's philosophy of "decorative functionalism," a approach that seeks to merge practical utility with artistic expression. This ethos is evident in the chair's precise angles, designed for optimal comfort, and its whimsical armrests that add a touch of postmodern flair. The chair's revival also speaks to a broader trend in the design world—a renewed appreciation for postmodern aesthetics and a desire to preserve and celebrate iconic pieces from the recent past. As Palmér explains, "From the beginning, the idea was to champion everything that we love, that I love about the design industry, the quality, the stories, the culture, but add a layer of a new generation."

While the reedition stays true to Kukkapuro's original vision, Hem has made subtle updates to ensure the chair meets contemporary standards of comfort and durability. These modifications were made in close consultation with Kukkapuro and his daughter, ensuring that the essence of the original design remains intact. As Kukkapuro himself reflected, "Now I understand that this means more than that: the whole world will be home to Experiment once more." For design aficionados and collectors, this relaunch represents a rare opportunity to own a piece of design history—one that continues to challenge, inspire, and delight, four decades after its initial conception.

The Experiment Chair will be available for purchase through Hem's website starting October 16, 2024, with prices beginning at $1,899.