Aalto2 Museum Celebrates the Fusion of Skateboarding and Architecture
A series of exhibitions united by Alvar Aalto’s kidney-shaped pool at his Villa Mairea.
The Aalto2 Museum Centre in Jyväskylä, Finland, is hosting a unique series of exhibitions titled The Pool – The Origin of Pool Skateboarding. These exhibitions explore the intersection of Finnish architect Alvar Aalto’s legacy with international skateboarding culture, particularly focusing on the iconic kidney-shaped pool at his Villa Mairea.
From the Surf to the Sidewalk, on view from May 18 to September 15, examines how Aalto’s free-form pool design influenced the emergence of pool skateboarding in California. The exhibition provides a comprehensive introduction to skateboarding culture, showcasing its connections to architecture, music, films, graphics, and fashion. It offers visitors a fresh perspective on how urban environments shape and are shaped by cultural movements.
Running concurrently, Colors presents skateboarding through the lens of American-Finnish professional skateboarder Lizzie Armanto. This exhibition celebrates the diversity, tolerance, and personal expression inherent in skateboarding. Armanto, an Olympic athlete and admirer of Aalto’s work, shares her favorite skate spots and reflects on her relationship with Aalto’s architectural philosophy. The exhibition also features some of her favorite skateboards and documents her journey in the Olympics.
Concrete Currents, running until October 27, showcases the photography of Arto Saari, a former professional skateboarder turned acclaimed photographer. Saari’s work captures the raw energy and emotion of skateboarding, street culture, and music. His journey from skateboarding in Aalto-designed spaces in Seinäjoki, Finland, to becoming a professional in Los Angeles, and eventually a renowned photographer, is vividly portrayed through his evocative images.
Aalto2 Museum Centre
Alvar Aallon katu 7,
40600 Jyväskylä, Finland
