A memorial honoring designer Yrjö Kukkapuro (1933–2025) and artist Irmeli Kukkapuro (1934–2022) has been unveiled in Kauniainen on May 21.
Composed of two steel versions of the iconic Model 4 chair, the work is set on a surface inspired by the nearby Gallträsk pond. More than a sculpture, it functions as a public place infront of the library welcoming people to sit, rest, and meet, bringing Yrjö and Irmeli’s legacy into their everyday lives.
The Latin text carved on the monument, “habitarunt di quoque silvas”, translated “the gods also lived in the forests”, is a quote from the Roman poet Vergilius and is also engraved on one of the Nelonen chairs.
The idea for the monument came from the local cultural association Grankulla svenska Kulturförening. The association also proved that community spirit should not be overlooked and that public funding is not always needed to implement meaningful projects. The city of Kauniainen was very positive and cooperative.
— The project took a year and was quite easy to implement, as hundreds of locals from the town gave donations ranging from two euros to several thousand euros. We at the association thought that everyone needs “a teaspoon of culture a day”, and it seems that the whole agreed, says project manager Maria Ekman.
The mayor of Kauniainen, Christoffer Masar, is also happy about the realization of the project.
— To the world, Yrjö Kukkapuro is a design legend. To us in Kauniainen, he and Irmeli were simply local residents and neighbors. The fact that so many residents participated in the fundraising campaign shows how much they meant to our community. We are very proud to honor their lives and work right in the center of our city. This is not just a traditional monument. It will become a meeting place in our city square, bringing their art into our everyday lives.
Yrjö Kukkapuro himself approved the memorial plan before his death. Studio Kukkapuro was responsible for the design and the memorial was made by Rautarakenne Antti Kuusinen.