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Research & Art

Public art collections at Aalto University

The aim of public art across Aalto is to create a vibrant environment for experiencing the world through various perspectives and for embracing imagination, intuition, and exploration.
Renata Jakowleff «Blue» 2017, 190 x 160 x 40 cm, glass and steel, assembled Photo: Mikko Raskinen
Artwork: Renata Jakowleff «Blue» 2017, 190 x 160 x 40 cm, glass and steel, assembled. Photo: Aalto University/Mikko Raskinen

The purpose of public art is to embrace the connections between art and science, to create imaginative surroundings for study and work and to make you simply wonder. The art works are quite different from each other, but still they form thematic entities for sharing imagination. The aim of the art works is to encourage each viewer to investigate, to stop for a moment to experience art in busy everyday life. You might ask: How does art affect your way of thinking? Does it make you happy? Does it make you cry or are you irritated? Does art inspire any memories to arise? Why? How? 

Public art is site-specific and connects with the diversity of the university and its post-disciplinary communities that extend beyond Otaniemi, to global networks. Public artworks reflect this diversity through different art forms, materials, techniques, and traditions.

How does Aalto procure our public art?

Contemporary public art often raises critical questions about history, the present and future, and reflects the values of Aalto such as passion, courage, freedom, responsibility and integrity. These questions and values help guide the procurement of artworks at Aalto University.

Art procurements are made by purchasing ready works of art, ordering site-specific art works or organising art competitions. The collection and art procurements are curated and coordinated by Manager (Art & Exhibitions) Outi Turpeinen together with the Aalto community.

The artists of the works are mainly Aalto University alumni, faculty or students who represent numerous different fields of art.

Global Equality Art Collection at VĂ€re

Artworks in VĂ€re remind us of the power of art in its ability to explore and expose diverse sociocultural and natural phenomena.

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Aalto_university_VĂ€re_artworks_Lumen_2018_photo_mikko_raskinen

The Human Approach – art collection at the School of Business

The theme of the art concept that the one per cent art principle was applied to is Human Approach.

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School of Business - Image by Mikko Raskinen

Radical Creativity art works at Töölö

Impressive art works by Sakari Kannosto and Kristina Riska are placed in the staircase and lobby areas. Aalto University Töölö is the fourth construction project at Aalto University in which approximately one per cent of the project budget was allocated to art.

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Artist Kristina Riska’s impressive ceramic artworks ’inevitableprogress I & II’

Engineering Materials art collection

One per cent for art principle was applied in the Engineering Materials collection

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LED art portraying text in different colours, while meandering up in the ceiling and round a corner at K3 building. The picture is taken from ground floor towards the ceiling, showing the social stairs of the building and the second floor office glass walls.

Waves in between/In-between waves art collection

The theme of the public art collection following the percentage principle chases the idea of waves.

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Punatiilisen rakennuksen julkisivussa on heijastavasta metallista tehty taideteos, jota katselee pyörÀilijÀ.

Sharing Imaginations art collection

The theme of Marsio building's public art collection follows the percent principle.

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Betoninen portaikko rakennuksen sisÀllÀ, seinÀllÀ vÀrikÀs maalaus, portaissa nÀkymÀstÀ poistumassa henkilö.

Self-guided walking tour of Aalto University's public art collection

Use the map to get to know some pieces of the university's public art collection through a self-guided walking tour.

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A kinetic light sculpture at night time. Cogs and wheels are golden brown, with an illusion of a continuum into the wall.

Read more about the process of curating public art

for VĂ€re 2018. 

for Otaniemi campus areas 2019.

art competition for Aalto Works block 2022.

Who defines how we experience art? User research on public art 2022.

Unfolding Public Art at Aalto University book 2023.

Read more about public art on campus

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A person in black touches a large stone sculpture outside a brick building under a blue sky.
Campus, Research & Art, University Published:

Glitch artwork challenges to see art in a different light

Laura Könönen's sculpture was unveiled on 14 October at the Otaniemi campus.
Eva Wahlström
Cooperation, Studies Published:

Creativity supported boxing and vice versa

Eva Wahlström, an Aalto alum who has boxed for 25 years, shared her memories of the people and experiences that were ultimately more important to her than success and medals
A piece of art made of bright pink and green lights. A person is touching the middle of the art piece with their hands.
For Aalto community University Published:

AI ART Afternoon event 24 October 2024 at 12 to 15

Join us to hear how to create art with artificial intelligence (AI)
Concrete staircase leading upstairs, a painting hanging on the wall on the left
Campus, Research & Art, University Published:

Shared imagination and the idea of waves - two new public art collections were unveiled

The art collections of Marsio and Kide buildings were published.

Events

Tapahtumakuva
Exhibitions

ANTI-SELFIE — IMAGES AND DISCUSSIONS ABOUT SELFHOOD

Media art exhibition and discussions about selfhood
'Finland: zoom in, zoom out' exhibition by Valeria Azovskaya and Lidia Rauramo. Photo of wheat ready for harvest and the fresh water flow in shallow creek and beautiful painting of the Finnish landcape.
Exhibitions

'Finland: zoom in, zoom out' exhibition

‘Finland: zoom in, zoom out’ exhibition invites you to celebrate the essence of Finnish nature through the eyes of two visual artists—Lidia Rauramo and Valeria Azovskaya, Aaltonians by training and occupation. The exhibition offers a space for contemplation, encouraging you to see the nuances, shapes, and shades of Finnish nature both broadly and intimately. Something that we often miss within the course of our busy life. Welcome!
Academic events, Conferences

Curatorial Matters: on Research Methodologies

The symposiums explores the curatorial as a research practice for critical inquiry across ecological, socio-political, and infrastructural contexts.
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