Robert Paulig Roastery is honored to announce the release of an exclusive collection of coffee paying tribute to one of Finland’s most renowned cultural icons, and world’s influential artists, Tom of Finland (Touko Laaksonen, Finnish, 1920-1991). Released as part of Robert Paulig’s Art Roast coffee series, the collection follows its successful line of flavored coffees featuring artist Tove Jansson’s Moomin characters.
Developed in partnership with Tom of Finland Foundation, the line is comprised of two selections, ground or whole coffee beans, each packaged and available in four different packaging designs featuring drawings by the artist. Dubbed “BUILT BOLD” and “HEAVY DUTY”, the coffee’s dark roast flavour is representative of the allure of TOM’s Men; unapologetic, self-aware and boastfully proud. With an intriguing blend of Arabica beans, the taste is dominated by Mexican flavors, mixed with Brazilian and Colombian notes and nuanced with an intriguing nutty tone. All Robert Paulig Roastery coffees are slow roasted in small batches, for enhanced body and taste.
The line is a continuation of the unprecedented shift in perceptions of the visual iconographies that shape our domestic lives. Coffee, a product that has inherently been marketed to appeal to the nuclear family, has now found a place to manifest universal respect, tolerance and equal rights.
“Tom of Finland is truly an art and pop culture icon. His masculine characters are a celebration of tolerance and joie de vivre, capturing the hearts of everyone at Robert Paulig Roastery”,explains Juhani Oranen, President of Robert Paulig Roastery.
With the Art Roast series, Robert Paulig Roastery wants to inspire everyone to expand on the experience of drinking coffee. “For us Finns, coffee is almost sacred, and we often go for familiar and safe products,” says Oranen. “We encourage you to turn your coffee drinking into an adventure, and take TOM’s Men along with you for the ride”.
“To be able to see the work Tom of Finland, key protagonist for sexual liberation and human rights, in the aisles of supermarkets and department stores can be life changing, and we hope it will influence the younger generation to embrace all personal identity”, says Durk Dehner, cofounder and president of Tom of Finland Foundation.
The Tom of Finland coffee will debut in Finland, at Kesko’s retail stores and also soon at the Robert Paulig Roastery’s online store (www.robertpaulig.fi ). The coffee will also be available at Kunsthalle Helsinki in conjunction with the upcoming exhibition Tom of Finland, running from 7th of May to 7th of August, 2016.
About Robert Paulig Roastery
Founded in 1987, Robert Paulig Roastery is a small, coffee roastery operating in the village of Tolkkinen in Porvoo, Finland. It roasts its coffee beans with a slow roast method, which brings out the most subtle flavours of the coffee and ensures an exceptional coffee experience. An uncompromised appreciation for coffee is maintained throughout the production process, from the carefully selected raw beans to the brewed cup. Robert Paulig Roastery’s products include Watsa coffees, flavoured coffees, single estate coffees and the Art Roast coffee series.
robertpaulig.fi
About Tom of Finland
(Touko Laaksonen, Finnish 1920-1991), is the creator of some of the most iconic and readily recognizable imagery of post-war gay culture and is regarded as one of the 20th century’s most influential artists. He produced thousands of images beginning in the 1940s, robbing straight homophobic culture of its most virile and masculine archetypes (bikers, hoodlums, lumberjacks, cops, cowboys, and sailors) and recasting them through deft skill and imagination - unapologetic, self-aware, and boastfully proud.
Tom of Finland Foundation
Established in 1984 by Durk Dehner and Touko Laaksonen, a.k.a. Tom of Finland, Tom of Finland Foundation offers a safe haven for all erotic art and continues to educate the public as to its cultural merits and by promoting healthier, more tolerant attitudes about sexuality. The Foundation, in addition to Tom of Finland’s erotic art, maintains and archives a growing collection of images by other artists to complement existing works by Tom of Finland.
tomoffinlandfoundation.org
Contact information
Juhani Oranen, Managing Director, Robert Paulig Roastery
juhani.oranen@robertpaulig.fi; +358 400 454048
18.3.2016
