One of the top off-site shows in New York last month was Hardcore Finnish Design. This exhibition showcased the innovative work of over twenty new and established designers from across Finland. Highlights included pieces from Arihiro Miyake, Janne Kyttanen, Mikko Laakkonen and Pentagon Design. Miyake shared Trush-In, an extension cord that stores nicely in its own felt container and Do!, a flat pack cutlery set made from aluminum. Kyttanen's impressive thirty-eight piece chandelier, inspired by growth patterns in palm trees, was created with rapid manufacturing technologies. Laakkonen had several pieces on display including Vege, a set of cast iron pans and the Latva coat rack, modeled after the top branches of a tree. Pentagon Design pushed the boundaries of paint technology, with life-sized animals covered in innovative paints made to mimic textures and encourage interaction with magnetic and chalkboard surfaces. Other works included glass knives by Noa Bembibre, industrial inspired pillows by Fokus Fabriks, a watch made from the kickstart pinion of an old Harley Davidson by Stepan Sarpaneva and LED desklamps by SAAS Instruments.

+ hardcoredesign.net