Ateneum Art Museum presents 160 Years of 'Kalevala'

Written by rubin Thursday, 26 March 2009 07:11

Helsinki, Findland - To celebrate the 160 years of the Kalevala, Ateneum Art Museum presents the most extensive show of Kalevala art seen in decades. The display features more than 200 works from almost sixty artists, all inspired by the Finnish national epic. This exhibition introduces the many faces of the Kalevala – how our national epic has appealed to visual artists through the times, from when it was first published up to the present day. On exhibition through 9 August, 2009.

Curated by Ateneum Art Museum's chief curator Riitta Ojanperä, the exhibition shows paintings, sculptures, prints and photographs from the 1850s to the late 20th century. Featured artists include R.W. Ekman, Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Heikki W. Virolainen and Wäinö Aaltonen.

The historical part of the exhibition is built around different themes, with rooms displaying the artists' views of e.g. Väinämöinen, Kullervo and Aino as well as the birth of the world and the river of Tuonela. The characters and subject matter of the epic represent universal themes and myths that have a strong appeal even regardless of nationality.

The Kalevala is also celebrated in Ateneum with commissions. The Kalevala Society commissioned ten visual artists and ten contemporary composers to express their views of how the Kalevala looks and sounds in 2009. These new works of art and compositions make up a separate part of the exhibition.

The visual artists featured in the Artists' Kalevala 2009 project are : Martti Aiha, Juhana Blomstedt, Ulla Jokisalo, Kuutti Lavonen, Stiina Saaristo, Risto Suomi, Nanna Susi, Marjatta Tapiola, Katja Tukiainen and Santeri Tuori. The composers include : Kimmo Hakola, Pekka Jalkanen, Olli Kortekangas, Einojuhani Rautavaara, Herman Rechberger, Aulis Sallinen, Jukka Tiensuu, Riikka Talvitie, Jovanka Trbojevic and Lotta Wennäkoski.

Visit the ATENEUM ART MUSEUM, THE FINNISH NATIONAL ART GALLERY at : http://www.ateneum.fi/default.asp?docId=11876