Objects that carry
memory and presence.
Yakutia — Sakha
Where the objects come from.
Long winters, low light, and a land that asks to be survived rather than admired. The forms in this archive begin here.
URSUUNA is a contemporary design project founded by Aina, a Sakha artist and designer from the Arctic region of Yakutia.
Drawing inspiration from the landscapes, traditions, and worldview of the Sakha people, URSUUNA creates objects that explore protection, identity, nature, and the relationship between past and present. Through jewelry, snow goggles, and wearable sculptures, the project reinterprets ancestral forms in a contemporary context.
Each piece is made by hand in small quantities using silver, brass, nickel silver, leather, natural stones, and ancient mammoth ivory recovered from Arctic permafrost.
URSUUNA
URSUUNA takes its name from a Sakha female name meaning silhouette.
The name reflects the idea that objects carry memory and presence. Like a silhouette, they preserve a trace of who we are, where we come from, and the stories that shape us.
Growing up in Yakutia, one of the coldest inhabited regions on Earth.
Aina was surrounded by a culture deeply connected to nature and the changing seasons.
Many of URSUUNA's works are inspired by traditional Sakha snow goggles — historically worn to protect the eyes from the intense glare of sun on snow. Beyond their practical purpose, they symbolize awareness, protection, and the human ability to adapt to extreme environments.
The annual summer solstice celebration Ysyakh, the philosophy of harmony with nature, and the enduring relationship between people and the land continue to influence the work.
Traditional craftsmanship, contemporary form.
Hand-made
Every piece begins as a hand-made object — shaped, carved, forged, and finished individually. Small variations are embraced as part of the process.
Slow & singular
Made in small quantities. The project values longevity over trends — objects to be worn, collected, and passed down through generations.
Beyond jewelry
URSUUNA moves between wearable objects, sculpture, exhibitions, and collaborations — an ongoing exploration of culture, memory, and design.
Founded by Aina — Sakha artist and designer based in Prague.
Creating contemporary forms rooted in Arctic experience, while speaking to a global audience.