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The Art Port concept is designed to enhance travellers’ experience at Helsinki |
FINLAND. Airport operator Finavia has introduced a number of art exhibition areas at Helsinki Airport, as part of the “˜Art Port’ concept celebrating the Finnish capital’s status as World Design Capital 2012. The initiative is designed to showcase Finnish art, design and creative thinking, including “˜fantasy sculptures’, to international and domestic passengers.
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Helsinki Airport is now home to a number of artworks by new and established Finnish artists |
The Design Gallery at Gate 11 currently hosts the Sit Down and Seize The Moment exhibition of Finnish chair design. Gate 26 is home to the Photo Gallery, currently showing the A moment in Helsinki exhibition of Katja Hagelstam’s art photography. Paola Suhonen, a leading designer of the Fenno-Slavic style, is exhibiting her work in the Fashion Gallery at Gate 31.
The airport’s fourth exhibition space, Art Gallery, opens today (11 July) and displays Finnish modern art by both well-known and up-and-coming artists. The opening exhibition will include the Random Album series by visual artist Bo Haglund, and ceramic fantasy sculptures by sculptor Kim Simonsson.
The exhibition connects family album photos, online discussions, the fantasy world and the universe with the present moment around us, where “everything is all right on Facebook”, Finavia said. Attentive visitors will find Facebook messages in Haglund’s works.
“In this exhibition, I’m looking for an easy way for people to let go of the busy, serious daily life and the hurry they are in. It is good for adults to sometimes plunge into a fantasy world and remember their “˜child’s soul’ and the importance of their existence,” said Huippu Concept’s Anna Forsman, who designed the Art Port concept.
Art Gallery is located at Gate 37, to be enjoyed by all passengers travelling to destinations outside the Schengen area. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week; admission is free.
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Art Port is intended to differentiate Helsinki from other European airports |
The new Airport Director of Helsinki Airport Ville Haapasaari said the initiative was part of Finavia’s efforts to enhance the passenger experience, and a result of requests to add an artistic element to the airport décor.
“The galleries have been warmly received,” said Haapasaari. “They clearly contribute to a pleasant atmosphere and offer a chance to relax for a while. The Art Port concept also strengthens the identity of Helsinki Airport, and enables us to stand out from other European airports. No other airport in the world is dedicated to art and design to the same extent as Helsinki.”
Visitors can post their thoughts, ideas and feelings on the airport’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
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