Helsinki’s cultural centres to re-open their galleries with limitations in June

Helsinki’s cultural centres will re-open their gallery facilities on 1 June. The number of visitors will be limited to a maximum of half of the normal number at a time. The diverse selection includes exhibitions inspired by the contemporary art event Helsinki Biennial, among others.

There are six cultural centres with gallery facilities in Helsinki. The exhibitions on display in the galleries can be viewed free of charge during the opening hours of the cultural centres. More detailed information on opening hours can be found on the websites of the cultural centres.

Malmitalo will host Alex Blom’s exhibition Don’t Shake Hands With the Lonely Kids until 19 June 2021. The exhibition features art about different forms of identity: combining acrylic, watercolour and gouache painting with digital art. From 10 June to 20 August 2021, Malmitalo will host the exhibition Island of Empathy, inspired by the Helsinki Biennial, which will open in the summer. The exhibition examines both the healing potential of art and the flaws in society, exploring the concepts of empathy, healing and intersubjectivity in human and non-human interaction.

Kanneltalo will host the exhibition Nuori Taide Helsinki 2021: See the Sea – näe meri, koe taide until 23 June 2021. The joint exhibition consists of the work of young people aged 15–26 and is inspired by the Helsinki Biennial, which will open in the summer. From 4 June to 5 September 2021, Kanneltalo will host the exhibition Climate Confessional – Ilmastotunnustusmajakka by Eetu Enqvist, Nino Hynninen and Henri Kotkanen. Climate Confessional is an interactive installation that serves as its users’ instrument for processing the climate crisis. The exhibition is inspired by the Helsinki Biennial.

Cultural Centre Stoa will host the exhibition What’s the Use of Intersectionality? curated by Feminist Culture House until 6 June 2021. Spread over the windows, square and flagpoles of Stoa, the exhibition deals with intersectional feminism. The exhibition also includes five streamed online discussions. Stoa will also host the photography exhibition Home in Finland by Laura Oja and Satu Leisko until 4 July 2021. The exhibition is about young immigrants. Karri ‘Paleface’ Miettinen curated the summer exhibition Disruptio, presenting works from six interesting artists, held from 11 June to 8 August 2021.

This summer between 12 June and 28 August 2021, the Vuosaari House gallery will yet again be transformed into a greenhouse where your senses are pampered by herbs and flowers as well as art focusing on the world of plants.

Until 30 June 2021, Cultural Centre Caisa will host the exhibition Kehona – Body Sensing, where the works can be sensed using your whole body, by touching and feeling. Until 3 June 2021, the inner courtyard of Caisa’s Leipätehdas will host Aleksanda Lemke’s photography exhibition Meistä – About Us. The exhibition aims to empower and increase the representation of LGBTIQ+ people of colour in Finland.

Annantalo will host the exhibition KELP! until 28 August 2021. The exhibition of the KELP! project, carried out in cooperation with the ANTI festival, displays young people’s media art works focusing on the theme of food. In the exhibition Sensing water (12 June−28 August 2021) by artist Ulla-Maija Alanen, art and natural sciences go hand in hand, with art serving as a window into environmental questions. Alanen’s work is driven by concern for the state of the planet’s waters. The exhibition is inspired by the Helsinki Biennial.

For more information about the exhibitions, please visit the websites of the cultural centres.

Photo: Maarit Hohteri.