skateboarding meets architecture: finnish exhibition explores alvar aalto's villa mairea pool

Aalto2 Museum Centre explores the Origin of Pool Skateboarding

The Aalto2 Museum Centre in Jyväskylä, Finland presents The Pool – The Origin of Pool Skateboarding, a series of four exhibitions that explore Finnish architect Alvar Aalto’s legacy and its intersection with international skateboarding culture, as well as rap and hip-hop culture. Three exhibitions focus on skateboarding, united by the kidney-shaped design of the swimming pool at Aalto’s Villa Mairea. The fourth exhibition delves into the history of Finnish rap and the significant role of Central Finland in shaping the nation’s hip-hop culture.

swimming pool of Villa Mairea (1937-39), Noormarkku, Pori, Finland | photo by Martti Kapanen © Alvar Aalto Foundation

When Skateboarding Culture and Architecture Meet

On view from May 18th to September 15th, 2024, the exhibition From the Surf to the Sidewalk at Aalto2 Museum Centre (find more here) showcases how the free-form design of Alvar Aalto’s Villa Mairea swimming pool influenced the emergence of a new urban culture in California. The kidney-shaped pool has become an enduring symbol of pool skateboarding, evolving over decades through various cultural paths. This exhibition serves as a comprehensive introduction to skateboarding culture, examining its relationship with architecture since its inception. From the Surf to the Sidewalk delves into the realms of music, magazines, films, skateboard graphics, style, clothing, and skateboarding in streets and skateparks. Additionally, it offers architecture and cityscape enthusiasts a fresh perspective on our built environment.

image courtesy of Aalto2 Museum Centre

the true colors of skateboarder Lizzie Armanto

Running alongside From the Surf to the Sidewalk, the Colors exhibition showcases skateboarding culture through the eyes of the renowned American-Finnish professional skateboarder Lizzie Armanto. As its name suggests, Colors is all about the diversity, tolerance and colorfulness found in skateboarding. The exhibition explores its topic from the points of view of places, tricks, skateboards, and communities.

A skateboarder perceives their surroundings in terms of skateboarding opportunities. This is how the
irregularly shaped pools that were inspired by the Alvar Aalto-designed Villa Mairea swimming pool ended up
being used as skateboarding venues in California. The exhibition features, Lizzie, a fan of Aalto, showing her
favourite places, and discussing her relationship with Aalto. Although Lizzie is a top athlete who represented Finland at the Olympic Games, competing is not what skateboarding is about, but rather everyone is encouraged to try tricks that are right just for them. Skateboarding is very much about personal expression, and skateboards are an important part of this. The exhibition showcases Lizzie’s journey in the Olympics and some of her favorite skateboards.

Pori Noormarkku Villa Mairea | photo by Maija Holma courtesy of Alvar Aalto Museum

Arto Saari’s photos delve into the skateboarding subculture

Running until October 27th, 2024, Concrete Currents presents the photographic work of Arto Saari. The photographer started skateboarding in the early 1990s in the shade of buildings designed by Alvar Aalto in the
center of the city of Seinäjoki, Finland. After turning sixteen, he moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a
career as a professional skateboarder. In the early 2000s, Saari became one of the most famous professionals
in the sport. Saari was named Skater of the Year by Thrasher magazine in 2001. The title is recognized globally
as one of the highest accolades that a skateboarder can achieve.

After leaving professional skateboarding, Arto Saari has focused on photography. His unique ability to capture
raw emotion and energy in his photographs has quickly earned him international recognition. Arto’s photographs do not solely focus on skateboarding but also on street culture, music, and the humanity of life.

Pooltown Raybarbee Rocknroll | photo by Arto Saari