HEL/LO – Let's Talk in September

The last two HEL/LO events invite Helsinkians and Londoners to discussions on doing things one's own way and daring to think ahead in design and architecture.

With two cities, two dates and two themes, HEL/LO – Let's Talk offers double enjoyment this autumn. The two discussions taking place in September will conclude the series of talks organised by The Finnish Institute in London and Blueprint magazine.

The penultimate event, HEL/LO – Let's Talk About Alternatives, lands in Helsinki 12 September and is inviting you to a discussion about alternatives in architecture, design and art. The speakers include London guests Sean Griffiths from architecture studio FAT and architect and urbanist Alex Warnock-Smith from Urban Projects Bureau along with the Helsinki guests: curator, columnist and researcher Annamari Vänskä and designer-researcher Krista Kosonen of IMU Design. The talk is chaired by Beatrice Galilee, the chief curator for the 2013 Lisbon Architecture Triennale.

Emmi Salonen (Studio EMMI) and Chrissie Macdonald (Peepshow Collective) will open the evening by giving an insight to their collaboration on the HEL/LO visuals and set design.

The fourth and final HEL/LO – Let's Talk event of 2012 will be held 19 September at designjunction as part of the preview night programme. For HEL/LO – Let's Talk About Tomorrow Helsinki-based architect Tuomas Toivonen from NOW and designer, professor Timo Salli from Aalto University together with co-founder, design director Dick Powell from London-based design company Seymourpowell and sustainability innovator, senior TED fellow Rachel Armstrong will participate in a talk chaired by Blueprint editor Johnny Tucker.

The theme will cover the inspirations and opportunities the speakers see in the near and distant future, and what they are doing to achieve their goals. In a year that has seen London host the Olympic Games and Helsinki attract the attention of the world as World Design Capital, HEL/LO will ask the speakers to share ideas about how we move forward.

The HEL/LO series is one of the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 international satellite events.

HEL/LO – Let's Talk About Alternatives
Wednesday 12 September
6–9 pm at Paviljonki
Ullanlinnankatu 2–4, Helsinki

HEL/LO – Let's Talk About Tomorrow
Wednesday 19 September
6–7.30 pm at designjunction
The Sorting Office, 21-31 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1BA

Seats are limited at both events, so please arrive early. More information on these discussions can be found on www.helloletstalk.fi.