The rocks hiss as the water hits them, and then it's time for the traditional whacking of birch branches. You do it to yourself, not others!

Water & Sauna Rocks & Slapping With Birch Branch, Home - Only in Lapland - Lapland Sound Collection

Tom of Finland (born Touko Laaksonen, May 8th 1920 – November 7th 1991) has long been recognized as one of the 20th century’s great visual innovators. His erotic art assumes a key role in the art historical discourse, as well as occupying a place in every corner of the popular imagination. 

This episode celebrates the 100th anniversary since Tom’s birth and reflects on his immeasurable legacy spanning art, society and popular culture. This time, you will hear from Finland at the West Coast as Trade Commissioner Trainee Matti Myllyaho at the Consulate General of Finland in Los Angeles visited the TOM House in LA’s Echo Park for a chat with Durk Dehner and S.R. Sharp from the Tom of Finland Foundation.

About the Tom of Finland Foundation (ToFF):

ToFF, founded by Tom and Durk Dehner in 1984, is dedicated to preserving Tom’s legacy and supporting erotic art since 1984. The artist’s former shared residence is now a Historic-Cultural Monument in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. 

Read more about the #TOMs100 Centennial activities: https://www.tomoffinland.org/tom-of-finland-centennial-1920-2020/
ToFF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomoffinlandfoundation/
ToFF Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToFFHouse

Host: Matti Myllyaho, Trade Commissioner Trainee at the Consulate General of Finland in Los Angeles
Interviewees: Durk Dehner, President and Co-Founder of Tom of Finland Foundation and S.R. Sharp, Vice President of Tom of Finland Foundation

Recorded on February 13th 2020 in Echo Park, Los Angeles.

Tom of Finland 100 Years – Celebrating the Internationally Renowned Finnish Artist and Liberator

**We're currently producing no more episodes, thank you all for tuning in! Welcome to an audio journey through all things Finnish and Finnish American! This Suomi–Finland Podcast was launched in honor of the centennial of Finland-U.S. diplomatic relations, celebrated in May 2019. What began as a #FINUS100 project by the Embassy of Finland in Washington D.C.'s Communications team, was continued further with a couple of episodes, featuring one also from Finland's Consulate General in Los Angeles. #SuomiFinlandPodcast

Tom of Finland 100 Years – Celebrating the Internationally Renowned Finnish Artist and Liberator

Suomi–Finland Podcast

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