Quarter Past Twelve and Silence

27 min · Documentary · Yle Areena, 1977

"Varttia yli kaksitoista ja hiljaisuus" is a documentary portrait of Finnish ceramic artist Birger Kaipiainen, offering a journey into his distinctive and richly decorative artistic world. Known for his vibrant colours, abundant ornamentation and refined compositions, Kaipiainen developed a style that stood apart from the restrained functionalism that characterised much of Finnish post-war design.

Filmed at the Arabia factory, the documentary follows Kaipiainen at work and explores the different stages of his artistic process. Kaipiainen also discusses the influences behind his work, many of which are rooted in Orthodox culture and Byzantine art. The film provides an intimate glimpse into the working methods and imagination of an artist whose unique approach to ceramics has influenced generations of Finnish designers.