A visual essay of Ilkka Suppanen's designs that showcases the poetry of light manifested in different contexts, including essays from eight contributing writers. This book is a study of the element of lightness, a theme which is reflected throughout the work of Finnish designer Ilkka Suppanen. Beyond presenting Suppanen's varied design work throughout his career, the publication dives deep into the theme of lightness itself, offering a comprehensive and profound perspective. The concept of lightness is explored in numerous contexts, showcasing its influence on material and architectural choices, philosophical considerations and aesthetic behaviors. The book is divided into eight distinct topics, each one containing a text by a contributor with a unique knowledge, thus offering a range of fascinating perspectives. At the same time, Lightness serves as a visual essay by Suppanen, showcasing the poetry of lightness as it is mani- fested in different cultures, contexts and scales globally. AUTHOR: Ilkka Suappanen (*1968) is one of the world's best known contemporary Finnish designers. Suppanen studied architecture at the Technical University of Helsinki, Interior and Furniture Design at the University of Art and Design Helsinki, with one year at Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam. In 1995 he founded Studio Suppanen in Helsinki. Throughout his career, his work has expanded across various sectors, including architecture, product- and furniture design, from coin design to radical concepts for the automobile industry, as well as projects for the casteless in India and the homeless in São Paulo. Suppanen's works have received numerous international design awards, been exhibited worldwide at institutions such as the Venice Architecture Biennale, MoMA in New York, and are in the permanent collections of museums such as the Centre Pompidou in Paris. For his contribution to the Scandinavian design scene, Suppanen has been awarded two of the largest Nordic design awards: the Torsten and Wanja Söderberg Prize (2015) and the Kaj Franck Design Prize (2020). 60 illustrations
