The exhibition taking place from 26 October until 9 December 2012 at the reputed MOCA Shanghai has two parts - Marimekko and Contemporary Finnish Design - together forming a holistic viewpoint of Finnish design today.

Marimekko, the Finnish textile and clothing design house with more than sixty years of heritage in the art of print making, opens the topic as a forerunner and example of the inclusive, democratic approach of Finnish design thinking. It shares the story on how its bold patterns and colours, timeless designs, play an important international role in increasing the emotional wellbeing of people.

In the heart of the Contemporary Finnish Design exhibition lies a display of the history and tradition of Finnish design; how nature is seen in the form language, where simplicity and functionality come from and how the success story of Finnish Design was born. From the tradition stems the breadth of today’s design scene in Finland. The exhibited designers break up conventions, work with attitude, reach for the highest level and are part of the phenomena that make Finland an extraordinary country.

“The exhibition at the worldwide renowned MOCA Shanghai is a unique opportunity for Finland to lift the lid on the insights and stories behind the Finnish design tradition and inspire people in Shanghai about our way of creating. We cannot wait to see what kinds of creative bridges between Finland and China the exhibition may open,” says Minna Kemell-Kutvonen, Creative Director of Marimekko.

"The exhibition will paint an exciting landscape of Finnish Design and portrays a set of insightful designers from the past to the present era. Visitors will experience how design is embedded in the daily life of people in Finland. The exhibition shows how the aesthetic language of Finnish Design increases beauty of the world around us. Good design is the luxury of everyday life," says Tuuli Sotamaa, Curator of the Contemporary Finnish Design part of the exhibition.

Design Colours Life - Contemporary Finnish Design and Marimekko is curated by Tuuli Sotamaa, Jeremiah Tesolin and Sami Ruotsalainen. The Design Museum in Helsinki has supported the Marimekko part of the exhibition by opening up its extensive Marimekko archives for the use of this exhibition. Design Colours Life - Contemporary Finnish Design and Marimekko is the spearhead event of the Radical Design Week 2012 taking place in Shanghai from 26 October to 4 November 2012.