VILLA MAIREA

Villa Mairea, built 1938-39, was designed by architect Alvar Aalto for his friends Maire and Harry Gullichsen. The villa is located in Noormarkku, near Pori. Like Villa Didrichsen, the house is surrounded by a beautiful yard with a pool. The interaction between the interior and the exterior plays an important role in the wholeness. The main material is teak wood and the forms express modern conceptions. Most of the furniture is from Galerie Artek and the house is decorated with modern art. In Villa Mairea, as well as in Villa Didrichsen, one of the most important sources of light are the large windows.

The Didrichsens knew Maire Gullichsen well and they often visited each other. From 1973-1987 Villa Mairea was open for the public and the annual amount of visitors would rise up to 15 000 people. Again today, it is possible to visit the villa on agreement.

Gullichsen´s collection of Finnish art consists of almost 400 works of art and has been donated to the city of Pori, it is now the permanent collection of the Pori City Art Museum. The rest of the collection, consisting of international art, can be seen in Villa Mairea.

To the exhibition at Didrichsen Art Museum Villa Mairea has lent works of art by following artists: Arp, Calder, Chagall, Léger, Matisse, Picasso, Rouault and Warhol.