A striking new public artwork is set to redefine the role of monuments in urban space. Alusta, an open and evolving urban monument by internationally acclaimed artist duo IC-98, will be installed in central Turku – on the site where the bust and plaque of Lenin once stood.
Far from a traditional statue, Alusta, located on the site where the bust and plaque of V. I. Lenin were removed in spring 2022, is a monument for opportunities. It will host a series of temporary, rotating art installations – known as Alusta Editions – curated through open calls and invitations. Between installations, the platform will remain empty, becoming Alusta 00, a powerful artistic gesture that commemorates active absence and invites open discussion.
The first of these works, Alusta 01, will be unveiled in spring 2026.
“Public space is inherently political,” says Riina Kotilainen, the City Art Museum’s Chief Curator and member of the project’s steering group. “The site of Alusta is especially charged: something once stood there, and its absence is still felt. IC-98’s work raises essential questions – who has the right to be visible in and take control of public space? The project challenges traditions of public art by introducing a cycle of temporary works that leave lasting impressions, much like Lenin’s bust once did.”
Rather than seeking to erase history, Alusta opens space for critical reflection on it. The project encourages engagement with difficult historical figures – such as Lenin – in a contemporary context. It stands against historical erasure and affirms the foundation of democracy: an open-ended, continuous process.
About IC-98
The Turku-based artist duo IC-98, formed by Patrik Söderlund and Visa Suonpää, has been working together since 1997. Their practice combines cultural history, visual art, and political thought. They are known for their site-specific works and moving-image installations. Notable works include A View from the Other Side (2011), a 70-minute animation charting the transformation of Turku’s iconic Pinella colonnade across centuries.
Their public works include House of Khronos in Pöytyä, Mare Tranquillitatis at Aalto University, and IÄI at the University of Helsinki’s Hyytiälä Forestry Field Station. IC-98 represented Finland at the Venice Biennale in 2015 and received the Finnish State Prize for Art in 2009.
The Alusta project has been granted permission through to 2027, with the aim of becoming a permanent part of Turku’s cultural landscape – a place where the past, present and future can meet in conversation.
IC-98: Alusta, 2025–
Aurakatu 22, Turku, Finland
alustaturku.fi
Photo: Vesa Aaltonen.