The summer exhibitions of Taiteen talo take visitors on a journey into various eras and emotions

The summertime exhibitions at the Taiteen talo in Turku invite visitors to experience a journey through the times, to reflect on interspecies love and the struggle for life, but also to relax with the soundscape of storytelling and the water gently lapping.

The summer exhibition season starts with visual artist Christian Saldert whose exhibition Verdens Gang // The Thought of the World looks at a world beyond dystopia and utopia. Saldert transforms his works from recognisable elements into new entities and moments of storytelling. In addition to paintings, the exhibition features a video work: a collage of music videos directed by Saldert over the years, which will premiere at Taiteen talo.

Hertta Kiiski’s exhibition Hydra opens immediately after Saldert's exhibition in Studio 2. The video installation Hydra (2022) tells the story of love and care between two girls and an immortal polyps on a distant island.

Over the course of the summer, three works from the City of Turku's art collection, a new one every month, can be seen at the Taiteen talo Mediastudio. From Thursday June 17, Salla Tykkä’s (b. 1973) video work Power will be on display. The works featured in the months thereafter are Renja Leino’s (b.1958) media artwork titled 20. kesäkuuta, and Pyykki by Anneli Nygren (b.1958).

Christian Saldert: The World as We Know It

In Tykkä’s Power, a boxing match initiated from the unequal starting point of a woman and a man unravels the culturally constructed tensions in gender roles, family relationships, and sports, as the theme music from the film Rocky plays. Leino's work 20. kesäkuuta transports visitors to a summertime atmosphere in the dim light of a boathouse. Nygren's Pyykki reflects humorously on a performance by Yoko Ono. In it, guests are entertained with
descriptions of stains found on laundry.

Later in June, Taiteen talo will open a history room as a glimpse into the premises’ past life as the Rettig tobacco factory. The exhibition by the Turku-based multi-arts studio space Fimbul will present its exhibition in July, while the August programme consists of an exhibition by the urban art association Freshcode, as well as an audio installation by Antti Oksanen. In the late summer, several spaces will be occupied by Taiteen talo’s own
in-house visual artists with their exhibition Overflow. Mikko Paakkola's solo exhibition will be presented in the Päätysali space.

Taiteen talo in Turku

The Taiteen talo arts centre was opened in Turku in spring 2022 as a home for art and culture –– for artists, local residents, and tourists alike. Taiteen talo is located in Rettig's old tobacco factory in the middle of Turku's Old Town, at Nunnankatu 4. Activities are spread out over the six floors of the former tobacco factory, and its courtyard buildings. A wide array of creative professionals, including visual and performing artists, work on the premises, and the house presents all kinds of exhibitions, performances, events, and workshops.

The limited company Turun Taiteen talo Oy promotes and supports cultural activities in the city of Turku, with a mission to advance the professional possibilities and livelihood of art and culture makers, and is behind the development and organisation of the Taiteen talo concept.

Taiteen talo’s summer exhibitions are curated by artist and arts expert Annika Dahlsten together with Taiteen talo’s producer Anna-Maija Vaimala.