The Dakko and Kasane stools are Mikko Paakkanens one of the most recent works and the result of his artist residence in Japan in 2013. Made of one single piece of solid pine wood, hand sculpted by Mikko Paakkanen himself, these stools are revealing Paakkanen’s double education as a master cabinet-maker and a designer from the University of Design in Helsinki. Mikko Paakkanen’s use of ink to design the seat areas of the benches represents an original contribution to the traditional design vocabulary and links this body of work to calligraphic art in general and particularly Japanese ink drawings.
Dakko and Kasane occupy space as functional sculptures, and the combination of geometrical form and organic pattern, as well as the beautifully sculpted wood, make these pieces an important contribution to the Scandinavian design tradition.
Dakko and Kasane
2014
Solid pine wood, black ink
25 x 30 x 82 cm
Limited edition of 12
Dakko and Kasane
2014
Solid pine wood, black ink
25 x 30 x 82 cm
Limited edition of 12
Dakko and Kasane
2014
Solid pine wood, black ink
25 x 30 x 82 cm
Limited edition of 12
Dakko and Kasane
2014
Solid pine wood, black ink
25 x 30 x 82 cm
Limited edition of 12
Finnish designer, Mikko Paakkanen, studied carpentry before deciding to pursue his interest in design and innovative manufacturing methods. In his work, Paakkanen uses his perspective as both carpenter and designer to make creative work that honours classic craftsmanship. Paakkanen completed a master’s degree at the University of Art and Design Helsinki in 1998, where he returned years later to teach. Working as a freelance designer since 1998, he founded his own design firm, Studio Paakkanen. He has designed products for well-known brands such as Nikari and Avarte, and has also worked as an interior architect and set designer for art projects and music videos. Mikko Paakkanen has received many awards and grants for his work, including the Finnish Cultural Foundation grant; the Muoto 2011 Award, and the Fennia Prize from the Design Forum Finland. Paakkanen’s works are housed in numerous museum collections, including the Cooper Hewitt Museum, New York, USA; Die Neue Sammlung, Munich, Germany; Röhrska Museet , Göteborg, Sweden; Designmuseo, Helsinki, Finland and Wakita Museum, Nagano, Japan.
