This summer, the Helsinki Biennial will take place for the third time, featuring 37 artists and artist collectives from Finland and around the world. For the first time, Estonia will also be represented – artist Laura Põld will showcase newly created textile works and ceramic sculptures, specially made for the biennial, at Vallisaari and HAM Helsinki Art Museum. The video installation by Estonian artist Kati Roover on Vallisaari Island delves into interspecies relationships, focusing particularly on the connection between whales and humans.
The theme of this year’s biennial is “Suoja (Shelter)”. Curators Kati Kivinen and Blanca de la Torre focus on animals, plants, fungi, insects, and minerals, shifting the human perspective to the background. Through art, the biennial creates new sanctuaries, highlights the importance of non-human life forms, and promotes environmental awareness.
The Helsinki Biennial runs from June 8 to September 21 at Vallisaari, Esplanadi Park, and HAM Helsinki Art Museum.