What happens in Helsinki when night falls? Stefan Bremer's photographs capture the rhythm of the city, dreamlike landscapes and diverse youth cultures. His images offer intimate and powerful glimpses of a time when city streets, concert venues and clubs were transformed into stages for the self-expression of a new generation. In the Helsinki by Night exhibition at Villa Hakasalmi, visitors can see the strikingly expressive artistic approach characteristic of Bremer's early career
The most important thing is the freedom to immerse yourself and to act, to smile and to rage, to feel and to react. A photograph can be political, but it is never democratic. It is one person's vision and interpretation.
Bremer began his career as a press photographer, but his studies at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture expanded his view of photography as an art form. The romantic images of Paris in the 1920s and 1930s by the Hungarian-French photographer Brassaï inspired the young photographer to find his own direction and style. Gradually, his focus shifted from cityscapes to people – especially young ones, who were searching for their place in the rapidly changing Helsinki at the turn of the 1970s and 1980s.
Alongside the quiet streets, gateways and urban images, the exhibition at Villa Hakasalmi showcases Helsinki's vibrant youth cultures: the rockabillies at the Central Railway Station, the teddy boys who idolised James Dean, the punks of Lepakko and the new romantics of the city’s clubs. Bremer's portraits capture the intensity of human connection and a pursuit of authenticity.
A distinct part of the exhibition features energetic concert photographs of up-and-coming rock bands of the era. The exhibition features bands such as Hanoi Rocks, Sielun Veljet, Smack, Pelle Miljoona and Dead Kennedys. Some of the gig shots were hand-coloured and ended up as album covers for LPs.
Stefan Bremer (b. 1953) is a central figure in Finnish photography. Villa Hakasalmi also features iconic works from his legendary series Helsinki By Night (1983), Creatures of the Night (1984–86) and Valokuva on Rock (1982). Bremer was awarded the State Art Prize in 1988 and the Helsinki Culture Award in 2011. He was granted the title of Artist Professor in 1999.
In conjunction with the opening of the exhibition, Parvs Publishing House will release the Helsinki by Night photo book. In addition to Bremer, the book has been written by Kjell Westö and Rosa Liksom. The book will be for sale in Villa Hakasalmi's museum shop and at the Helsinki Book Fair.
The exhibition has been curated by Stefan Bremer and Asko Mäkelä. It has been produced by Jari Harju and designed by Osmo Leppälä.
Stefan Bremer – Helsinki by Night
24 October 2025 – 30 August 2026
Villa Hakasalmi
Mannerheimintie 13b
Open: Tue 11:00–19:00, Wed–Sun 11:00–17:00
Admission €16/€11/Museum Card
Free admission for Helsinki residents under 20 until the end of 2025.
