Twelve students from the Academy were challenged to translate the design philosophy of Alvar Aalto into contemporary artistic work. The project focused on themes such as craftsmanship, technology, nature, and human interaction. The Iittala Design Award was won by student Mauro Yeoman for his project MYTHOS.
A jury consisting of Vesa Kemppainen (art director at Iittala), Veerle Wenes (founder of gallery valerie_traan), and Nedda El-Asmar (head of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp) selected the winning project. The jury praised the strong combination of concept and execution in the work.
“"The students have translated the spirit of the Aalto vase into surprising contemporary artistic creations, using diverse materials, media, and techniques."
The twelve selected works are on display until October 31, 2026, at the Iittala flagship store located at Korte Gasthuisstraat 24 in Antwerp.
