Aino and Alvar Aalto – Architecture, Design, Landscape 100 years after the travel to Italy

Italy has a privileged space in the lives and careers of Aino, Alvar and Elissa Aalto. One hundred years ago, in October 1924, Aino and Alvar chose Italy for their honeymoon, largely following an itinerary that Aino had already experienced three years earlier, after graduating in architecture. Even the choice of the travel is innovative, by seaplane from Katajanokka bay to Tallinn, then by flight to Vienna and train to cross the Alps and reach Veneto and then Tuscany. Their journey has acquired a mythical dimension, Alvar took inspiration for some writings and, together with Aino, for their first projects.

The present seminar on the occasion of the exhibition “Aalto – Aino Alvar Elissa. The human dimension of the project" at Maxxi museum in Rome aims to retrace the successful professional career of studio Aalto filtered through the relationship with Italy, which is significant and long-lasting. The papers will focus on the interest of Italian culture in Aalto’s work, firstly through architecture and art journals and then with the travel to Finland which has created strong links with Italian architects and clients. Hence the exhibitions, the awards and even significant professional commission, which unfortunately remain on paper. The seminar will clarify the central role of Aino and, from 1950s, of Elissa in the practice and will range from city design to interior design with glass, wood, ceramics and textiles.

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