Helsinki by Design

17/08/2024 Seamus Comments 0 Comment

Modern Art, Architecture and Design in Helsinki

Seamus the Seagull standing on a large black sign with white lettering reading: A! Aalto-yliopisto Aaalto-universitetet, Aalto University, high buildings and tree in background, Aalto University, Espoo

As you might remember, I’ve already been to Harvard. But when I went to university in Finland, I got an A!

Seamus the Seagull standing on desk in lecture theatre beside woman with short blonde hair wearing yellow t-shirt sitting in row of seats, further rows of empty seats behind

Aalto University Campus was well worth the visit, in spite of having to endure being lectured by His Lordship. Herself wasn’t overly thrilled at being schooled by him either! But it was quite an experience to spend time in this amazing auditorium designed by Alvar Aalto.

View of large red-brick building with curved, sloped green roof, stairs in front, sign on left with large A! and illegible writing, Aalto University, Finland

My poor little bird brain cells were stretched to capacity trying to figure out its design which incorporates the lecture theatres on the inside with a type of amphitheatre on the outside. Clever!

It’s no wonder the campus in Otaniemi is such a pleasure to stroll around, with buildings designed by this world-famous architect and designer after whom it is named, but also many other modern architects who certainly keep up the tradition and quality. Top marks to them all!

Seamus the Seagull standing with beak inside book with picture of lighthouse and seal in sea, more books behind him, Helsinki Central Library Oodi

While I was still in an academic frame of mind, I decided to brush up on my Finnish in Helsinki Central Library, known locally as Oodi. This is another gem of modern architecture and quite a contrast to the Nordic Art Nouveau buildings the Oldies had been focused on so far.

outside of large modern building with glass and curved wooden facade, reflection of other buildings in glass, three people walking past, Helsinki Central Library, Oodi

I loved the lines of the building which reminded me of a ship, and the views of the city from the balcony were fantastic. The ultra modern interior is full of surprise nooks and crannies, and it boasts ultra modern technology, such as robots which collect and distribute books. I steered well clear of those yokes, terrified of being scooped up with the books!

Seamus the Seagull in foreground with section of large white building with curved facade in background, giant seagull's head on canopy in front of building, sign with letters "useum" on front of building, HAM Helsinki Art Museum

Didn’t I tell you that gulls rule the roost in Helsinki? Well, here’s yet more proof: this giant seagull on the HAM, Helsinki Art Museum, which pretty much dominates this neighbourhood. The building itself is a converted tennis hall. There’s upcycling for you!

Work of art consisting of white, circular, double layered stand covered in eyeballs with protruding strands, Helsinki Art Museum

I have to admit that I didn’t quite know what to make of the modern art on display inside though. These giant eyeballs gave me the willies…

Large, dark hand handing over dark grey ledge, similar large hand dangling in background in front of white sign with illegible writing, Helsinki Art Museum

and those giant hands, ugh! What with that giant seagull… forget Gullible Travels; here I felt like a Lilliputian in Gulliver’s Travels!

Large windowless, conical-shaped wooden structure in city square, lamp post in foreground, two-storey old building on left in background, Kamppi Chapel, Helsinki

I was bowled over by this beautiful wooden structure in the Kamppi area in the city centre. It turned out to be a chapel, would you believe, slap bang in the middle of the city. What an incredible design! Interestingly, there are no church services held there on Sundays. Its main purpose is simply to accommodate anyone who wishes to step in and enjoy a few moments of peace and quiet.

View from elevated point of town square with white buildings in background, large green statue to one side, raised, curvy structures made of white orange and grey tiles on right and in centre, people standing and sitting around square, Lasipalatsi Square, Helsinki

This crazy looking square nearby turned out to be the roof of the art museum Amos Rex, which is entered through the beautiful art deco Lasipalatsi, the Glass Palace. The square was a great hit with all the children I saw in the area. What kid wouldn’t want to climb over those space-age structures and giant green statues? Better than any playground, I would imagine!

Close up of curved green glass vase with red and white sticker near rim

We came across our old friend, Alvar Aalto again at the Design Museum Arabia. Or at least his famous glass vase design, a real classic! I enjoyed wandering amongst the colourful displays of the best of Finnish designed ceramics and glass.

Three colourful glass birds in display case with descriptions on cards on floor of case, Design Museum Arabia, Helsinki

I especially liked these glass birds. Very stylish. Of course, the wonderful sea views from up there on the eight floor of the restored Arabia factory building were also high on my like list.

I knew there’d be no escaping the factory shop on the ground floor on our way out. Sure enough, the Oldies spent a happy half-hour poking through the Arabia and Iittala glass and tableware. Thank goodness for luggage restrictions, otherwise half the shop would have been coming back home with us. One item slipped through, however…