Himmeli: The Art of Sacred Geometry with Eija Koski
In the rural farming village of Vaasa, Finland, inspiration hangs delicately from the ceiling. Here, Finnish artist Eija Koski has devoted herself to the creation of himmeli’s, traditional Finnish geometric mobiles crafted from straw. These intricate designs transform simple materials into mesmerising works of art, deeply connected to nature and cultural heritage.
The universal word “himmeli” is derived from the German and Swedish words for “heaven”. “In every language, it is himmeli,” Koski says. Through this shared tradition, she connects with makers worldwide, preserving a timeless craft that bridges nature, heritage, and art in every spinning creation.
Himmelis captivate with their gentle, perpetual motion. Spinning in the air, they reveal shifting geometric patterns that oscillate between harmony and abstraction. “You have to stare at it. You forget everything else,” Koski explains. The symmetrical, mathematical precision of these mobiles evokes a meditative experience...
Want to read more of this article?
We are proud to be a subscriber-funded publication with members in 185 countries. We know our readership is passionate about textiles, so we invite you to help us preserve and promote the stories, memories, and histories that fabric holds. Your support allows us to publish our magazine, and also ‘what's on’ information, and subscription interviews, reviews, and long-read articles in our online blog.
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? CLICK HERE TO ACCESS CONTENT
OR...to continue reading….
*Magazine subscribers automatically get free access to all our online content. We send the access code by email with the publication of each issue. You will also find it on the envelope containing your magazine. Please note the access code changes every issue.*