A new sculpture by the visual artist Ninni Luhtasaari was erected recently at a fountain behind the Malmitalo Cultural Centre, part of an extensive renovation of the Ala-Malmi Park and the city’s expansive suburban regeneration initiative.
Residents of Helsinki’s bustling northern district of Malmi enjoy spending time at the local Ala-Malmi Park, which features lush gardens and a pretty water fountain. Now a new sculpture by the visual artist Ninni Luhtasaari has been added to the fountain, urban art commissioned specifically for the location for residents of the area to enjoy.
Before Luhtasaari started her work, she went to visit the park and chatted with the locals about what sort of art they would like to see there.
“The area’s residents preferred either Adonis figures or dolphins,” said Luhtasaari.
According to Malmi’s art curator Paula Korte, the Ala-Malmi Park is a unique environment, comparable in her mind to the famous gardens of Versailles. Originally designed by landscape architect Lars Barnö, the park is currently being restored, while taking care to preserve the area’s original appearance and distinctive features. The renovation is expected to be complete by June 2027.
The City of Helsinki is actively renewing the Malmi district, as it is one of the neighbourhoods included in the city’s important suburban regeneration initiative.
Each of the many area projects included in the regeneration are being developed in collaboration with the relevant neighbourhood’s residents and stakeholders. In Malmi, this means enhancements to the pleasantness of the urban environment, improved services and transport links, and the building of new housing.
Luhtasaari’s artwork is one component of a regenerative whole that aims to turn Malmi into an even more attractive urban hub in the north-east region of Helsinki. It is also the first acquisition for the Malmi Art Programme, which seeks to systematically commission new urban art to beautify the district.
“Investing in public art is one way of creating a meaningful, beautiful and high-quality urban environment,” said Korte.
My secret dream is that it could even become a beloved meet-up place for people.
The City of Helsinki’s collection of public art extends to over 250 works situated throughout the city. The majority of the city’s new public art is funded through the Percent for Art principle, which makes sure that one per cent of the budget for all public construction projects is set aside to fund art.
These funds are used to commission works of art that are designed specifically for the city’s public buildings, parks and open spaces. Luhtasaari’s work of art is the latest example. Helsinki has been applying the Percent for Art principle in its urban development since 1991.
Ninni Luhtasaari’s sculpture The Supporting Act is made of through-coloured poured concrete. It depicts two identical figures supporting and lying on top of one another. Water sprays out one and a half metres from the figures’ sky-blue fingers.
Korte says that it has been fascinating to follow the work’s progress, from the initial sketches right through to the concrete casting.
“The most exciting part will be when we get to unveil the artwork to the public and see how the people of Malmi react to it,” she said.
Luhtasaari herself describes the themes of the work as play and support. She hopes that, in the long term, the work will become a Malmi landmark and that the district's residents will embrace it.
“It’s made for them,” the artist said. “My secret dream is that it could even become a beloved meet-up place for people to gather and celebrate.”
The video traces the creation of the artwork from start to finish. It features artist Ninni Luhtasaari and curator Paula Korte discussing the piece and the role of public art in the urban environment.