Necessity of the unnecessary

Column by Teri Niitti

The question is whether Helsinki needs a Guggenheim Museum, but rather in a broader sense whether a human needs modern international art.

Photo Matti Tanskanen

A quiet country of art lovers

Column by Laura Köönikkä / FRAME Finnish Fund for Art Exchange

When talking about internationalization, it should be kept in mind that being local provides material for our identity, creates development and history. The local aspect is what matters.

Photo Jukka Ovaskainen

More (city) space for design

Recently a group of Guggenheim Museum staff from New York visited Helsinki. They were wondering why the internationally renowned design city doesn’t have up-to-date and appropriate spaces for displaying design. Exactly. Maybe it’s a “shoemaker’s children have no shoes” phenomenon.

Text Aila Svenskberg
Photo Juuso Noronkoski

Hoxton–Punavuori

Column by Maryam Razavi

The overall atmosphere shows how proud Helsinkians are of their young designers. Everybody recognizes Antti Asplund’s cross, Makia’s down jackets, R/H’s eye trinket, Minna Parikka’s shoes and Tiia Vanhatapio’s dresses.

Photo Osma Harvilahti

Places of well-being

Column by Pauliina Jalonen

“We know where to find park benches in Helsinki, where to go for an easy Sunday stroll, and where to head to find some action during the weekend. The city can’t be experienced just by driving past it.”

Photos Anna Kiuru

Well I wish it…

Column by Antti Nylén

Christmas is truly gone, and it won’t return.

Photos Sanna Lehto

Technological creativity and the love of natural forms

By Kivi Sotamaa

Just like the electric guitar and Jimi Hendrix created a new psychedelic sound in the 1960s, computers and the manufacturing robots they control are now enabling the discovery of new forms of expression in architecture and design for the third millennium.

Photos Juuso Noronkoski

A beautiful moment in Helsinki

By Suvi Saloniemi

“I claim that Helsinki is one of the best places to play in the world. Helsinkians are at the same time the best audience and the best hosts. But why? We aren’t as suave, bold and numerous as many Central European audiences.”

Photos Osma Harvilahti

Grab a basket!

By Meri-Tuuli Lindström

When I tell foreigners about Finns, I start off by describing how in the wintertime everyone just wants to sit on their couch at home. “But when the spring comes and the snow has melted, before the grass is even dry, everyone is out on picnics in the city’s parks,” I say.

Thanks, guys!

By Samu-Jussi Koski

The US reporter looked at me in amazement as I blurted out my reply to his jovial question. I was so exhausted that when the reporter asked me what it was like working in the fashion business in Finland, I didn’t have the energy to muster up a politically correct reply. So I just spit out “Bullshit. Utter bullshit.”

The essence of well-being

By Prof. Rolf Nordström

I’m delighted that the late Pope John Paul II already in 2000 held a congress to research how aesthetic plastic surgery could improve the quality of life.