THE NATIONAL MUSEUM: ”ROOMS HIDDEN BY THE WATER”
The National Museum of Finland has presented a remarkable opening, both on the symbolic and concrete level. As the world and the times change, this traditional museum, centering on the history of Finland, has re-evaluated its relationship to the world and the museum’s […]
THE FINNISH NATIONAL GALLERY: A New Reading
I finally made it to the newly curated and designed permanent collection of the Ateneum, and I am giddy with joy! Finally, for the first time in my life, the collections are presented with mastery and a deep understanding of their meaning and value!. It’s not question of cosmetic choices. The museum director Johanna Pettersson […]
SEMPEROPER DRESDEN & FIGARO AT SAVONLINNA
A visit to the Savonlinna Opera Festival has become a summer ritual for me, something I eagerly look forward to. One of the reasons is the possibility to hear well known opera companies and orchestras that the festival always invites as guests to widen the season’s repertoire. At best, there are two visiting companies in […]
WALKING DREAMS
Tampere, the second largest city in Finland, used to justly boast its success both in textile and shoe industries. Times have changed, and these industries have ceased in the city. However, shoes and success are evident and to be enjoyed in the recently opened Museo Milavida –formely a private palace, and now beautifully restored by […]
VOCAL DELIGHTS
Jonas Kaufmann in Turku Jonas Kaufmann recently had his debut recital in Finland. It was organized by the Turku Music Festival as a pre-festival event in July. The talented and ambitious tenor Topi Lehtipuu is the festival’s artistic director, but this particular recital was the result of the connections and will-power of the festival’s managing […]
BRANDING FINLAND
BRANDING FINLAND FOR THE FINNS The most important festivity and annual society event in Finland is the December 6 Independence Day Ball given by the Finnish president. It traditionally takes place in the charming and delicately pompous neo-classic presidential palace in the heart of Helsinki. It has gradually and somewhat absurdly become the most watched tv-event in […]
ART DECO IN ARTS & DESIGN
The ambitious Amos Anderson Art Museum, a private institution in the center of Helsinki, explores the early development of French Art Deco in the arts, and the period’s impact in Finland. The exhibition lasts until July 21. The emphasis of the exhibition is in the painting and fine arts, paving the way for the style that […]
FIBER FUTURES
Masterful Japanese fiber artists at the Design Museum in Helsinki The successful and surprising Fiber Futures exhibition at the Design Museum in Helsinki (until May 5) is co-organized by Japan Society, New York, International Textile Network Japan, and Tama Art University Museum, and originally curated by the esteemed, experienced and energetic professor Hiroko Watanabe. The […]
FINE ART – Hannu Väisänen, Tuomo Saali, Marjatta Tapiola
Galerie Forsblom has been a major player in the Helsinki art scene for decades. The new gallery space, opened in a historical landmark building in central Helsinki in May 2011, and designed by Gluckman Mayner Architects, New York, adds to the status and expectations of the gallery and the ”over-all ambiance of a pleasant gallery […]
