The much-awaited permanent Finlandia Exhibition on Finnishness and the unique legacy of Alvar, Aino and Elissa Aalto – their careers, lives, creativity, and humanity – opened at Finlandia Hall in June. The exhibition takes visitors through the Aaltos’ life and works, events in Finnish history, and even Finns’ relationship with nature and the forest. Finlandia Hall plays a key role in weaving the stories together.
“An exhibition like this being displayed at Finlandia Hall is incredibly meaningful. Alvar Aalto designed the Hall as his magnum opus, as a stage for and symbol of Finland. We promise that the exhibition will add new depth to this through information and emotion. It closes the circle,” explains Finlandia-talo Oy’s CEO, Johanna Tolonen.
The exhibition echoes Alvar Aalto’s design philosophy
The exhibition experience doesn’t end at the exhibition space; the Hall’s other services complement both the story and experience of the exhibition – and vice versa.
“When designing the new Finlandia Hall, we wanted to create a comprehensive experience of an open house for all, offering a plethora of ways to experience culture and the history of the building. The permanent exhibition on the Aaltos, Finlandia Hall, and Finnishness is a natural part of such a package. We wanted the exhibition to bring people joy and a sense of the good life. Art and culture are known to have a positive impact on wellbeing, and this is heavily emphasised in the exhibition. The Finlandia Exhibition – as well as the other new services – were designed with respect for Alvar Aalto’s own philosophy: humans at the heart of everything,” says Tolonen.
In January, the newly modernised Finlandia Hall opened its doors to congress and event visitors, and for the first time, to the wider public. The Hall now belongs equally to city residents and tourists, serving as an everyday leisure and experience venue.
Behind the exhibition is an ambitious group of top professionals
Leading experts were selected to create the exhibition. Exhibition architect Taina Väisänen and Doctor of Philosophy, historian, author and scriptwriter Kirsti Manninen were the leading duo behind the exhibition. Väisänen is one of Finland’s most distinguished exhibition designers and her handiwork can be seen in both major Finnish museums and in international exhibitions. Meanwhile, Manninen is one of Finland’s most famous authors and scriptwriters, whose works comprise a wide range of historic novels, children’s books and television scripts, along with textbooks and historic guides.
Several Aalto experts, such as museum director of the Alvar Aalto Foundation and member of Finlandia Hall’s Advisory board, Jukka Savolainen, were consulted about the exhibition.
“Alvar Aalto is more important and interesting than ever before. When society faces as much uncertainty and polarisation as it does now, the significance of Aalto’s human-oriented philosophy only becomes more important. The exhibition also helps us to better understand just how fundamental his designs have been to Finland’s national story,” explains Savolainen.
The exhibition will explore entirely new perspectives of the Aaltos’ achievements and their impact on Finnish architecture, design, society, and international networks. It will also dive deeper than ever before into the Aaltos’ family life. For example, Aino and Alvar Aalto’s grandson Heikki Aalto-Alanen has donated over one hundred new, never-before-seen pictures of his grandparents and their life over the years from his family album.
“This exhibition differs from all previous Aalto exhibitions. It explores the Aaltos as people: as talented and international architects who lived at an interesting point in history, when the world was undergoing modernisation. Aino and Alvar strongly influenced how the fresh, international influences were received in Finland, plus on the other hand, how the rest of the world perceived Finland as a nation. It brought me great joy to provide a glimpse behind the curtain into my grandparents’ lives, and to help create an exhibition like this in doing so,” says Aalto-Alanen.
Increasing the attractiveness of downtown Helsinki and Finland overall
The Finlandia exhibition supplements Helsinki’s cultural offerings in a much-needed way and will become Helsinki’s star attraction, a cultural experience for locals and visitors alike. To this day, the Aaltos’ architecture and design continue to attract extensive interest from all over the world. The exhibition is expected to increase Helsinki’s and Finland’s attraction as a tourist destination.
The City of Helsinki has long aimed to be an internationally renowned and attractive city of design and architecture. The role of design and architecture has even been incorporated into the city’s strategic policies and development programmes.
“We have been thrilled to see Aalto’s 1970s concert and congress hall re-open after extensive renovation. The new spaces – from retail facilities to restaurants and the very unique possibility for overnight stays – have already become an exciting new addition to Helsinki’s design and architecture offering. The timely new exhibition will further strengthen the Hall’s position as a Helsinki design and architecture landmark,” says the City of Helsinki’s Director of Design, Hanna Harris. .
Pictures: Kusti Manninen, Satu Mali