The Story Behind the Swan Collection

"I’ve been fascinated by bending wood ever since I was a kid. My childhood home had furniture by iconic designers such as Ilmari Tapiovaara, Alvar Aalto and Tapio Wirkkala. I have a huge admiration for the furniture of Charles and Ray Eames, and the technical wooden molded furniture and objects they made almost 100 years ago."

Mikko Kärkkäinen - Designer TUNTO Lighting

Wood – a Way of Creative Expression

Creating things by hand has always been my way of expressing myself. I have been lucky to have the opportunity to work with wood for most of my life, and the tools and materials have always been within my reach.

I shaped my first skateboards all by myself and made my first lamp shapes 30 years ago at the age of 16. I quickly realized that shaping and curving plywood is one of the finest technical aspects of truly understanding what it takes to work with wood.

Aiming for Sculptural Plasticity and Lightness

When creating wooden objects, the fusion of organic material with the pliability of shaped plywood feels very natural to me. I enjoy sculptural forms, curved lines, and their dynamic interplay. This approach is, in a way, part of Tapio Wirkkala's legacy, a person who truly excelled in this craft.

In designing the Swan collection, I aimed to incorporate this kind of plasticity and lightness. Additionally, I sought to challenge my technical skills and years of experience in mold-making.

The Swan: a Modern Classic

With the Swan, I wanted to create a wooden object with a distinct plasticity, believing that such an object would speak to people. I also wanted to make the lamp’s light ”plastic” in a way, as though it were an integral part of this alliance of wooden plasticity and form. In a word: I wanted to create a classic. A modern but timeless product that is like a sculpture, with technically advanced technology – inspired by the forms of nature and the true masters of design.