Public art collections at Aalto University
The purpose of public art is to embrace the connections between art and science, to create imaginative surroundings for study and work and to make you simply wonder. The art works are quite different from each other, but still they form thematic entities for sharing imagination. The aim of the art works is to encourage each viewer to investigate, to stop for a moment to experience art in busy everyday life. You might ask: How does art affect your way of thinking? Does it make you happy? Does it make you cry or are you irritated? Does art inspire any memories to arise? Why? How?
Public art is site-specific and connects with the diversity of the university and its post-disciplinary communities that extend beyond Otaniemi, to global networks. Public artworks reflect this diversity through different art forms, materials, techniques, and traditions.
How does Aalto procure our public art?
Contemporary public art often raises critical questions about history, the present and future, and reflects the values of Aalto such as passion, courage, freedom, responsibility and integrity. These questions and values help guide the procurement of artworks at Aalto University.
Art procurements are made by purchasing ready works of art, ordering site-specific art works or organising art competitions. The collection and art procurements are curated and coordinated by Manager (Art & Exhibitions) Outi Turpeinen together with the Aalto community.
The artists of the works are mainly Aalto University alumni, faculty or students who represent numerous different fields of art.
Global Equality Art Collection at VĂ€re
Artworks in VĂ€re remind us of the power of art in its ability to explore and expose diverse sociocultural and natural phenomena.
The Human Approach â art collection at the School of Business
The theme of the art concept that the one per cent art principle was applied to is Human Approach.
Radical Creativity art works at Töölö
Impressive art works by Sakari Kannosto and Kristina Riska are placed in the staircase and lobby areas. Aalto University Töölö is the fourth construction project at Aalto University in which approximately one per cent of the project budget was allocated to art.
Engineering Materials art collection
One per cent for art principle was applied in the Engineering Materials collection
Waves in between/In-between waves art collection
The theme of the public art collection following the percentage principle chases the idea of waves.
Sharing Imaginations art collection
The theme of Marsio building's public art collection follows the percent principle.
Self-guided walking tour of Aalto University's public art collection
Use the map below to get to know some pieces of the university's public art collection through a self-guided walking tour.
Read more about the process of curating public art
for VĂ€re 2018.
for Otaniemi campus areas 2019.
art competition for Aalto Works block 2022.
Who defines how we experience art? User research on public art 2022.
Unfolding Public Art at Aalto University book 2023.
Read more about public art on campus
Unfolding public art book is based on the university's art collection
The art collections of Marsio and Kide buildings were published.
The themes, artists and drafts of the new buildings' art collections were published
The artworks will be located in the K2 and K3 buildings in the Aalto University Works block
The theme of the collection is Human Approach, and it follows the percent for art principle.
Collection was published with âGlobal Equalityâ as its art concept.
The new building for Aalto University's School of Arts, Design and Architecture, VĂ€re, will be completed soon.
The main themes are sustainability, radical creativity and entrepreneurship.
Proposals can be sent 4.1.-4.4.2022 for the competition open to all artists, arranged for the first time
Impressive works by Sakari Kannosto and Kristina Riska are placed in the staircase and lobby areas.
Laura Piispanen, Noora Heiskanen, Jenna Ahonen and Ayda Grisiute convinced the jury with their creativity.
Artist Sakari Kannosto's artwork titled âKiertÀÀâ deals with the circle of life, achievements and the rewarding of expectations. The piece will be located in the staircase space at Aalto Töölö.
Aalto University published an invited art competition that seeks to find public art to be situated in two spaces in Aalto Töölö
The winning proposal creates a zone of silence from the busy staircase.
New artwork will be located in the newest building on campus.
Aalto University is the first university in Finland to commit to the principle of the art percent.
Read more
Creativity supported boxing and vice versa
Eva Wahlström, an Aalto alum who has boxed for 25 years, shared her memories of the people and experiences that were ultimately more important to her than success and medals
AI ART Afternoon event 24 October 2024 at 12 to 15
Join us to hear how to create art with artificial intelligence (AI)
Shared imagination and the idea of waves - two new public art collections were unveiled
The art collections of Marsio and Kide buildings were published.
Explore the university's art on guided tours
Tours focusing on the public art at Marsio, Kide and Viima buildings are a part of Designs for a Cooler Planet festival.Events
Designs for a Cooler Planet 2025 exhibition
Aalto Universityâs biggest annual exhibition presents visionary cross-disciplinary work. Come explore prototypes, experiments and solutions.