Public art collections at Aalto University
![Renata Jakowleff «Blue» 2017, 190 x 160 x 40 cm, glass and steel, assembled Photo: Mikko Raskinen](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/1_6_567w_354h_n/public/2018-11/aalto_dipoli_artworks_renata_jakowleff_27-9-2017_photo_mikko_raskinen_023_original.jpg?h=2992ba0a&itok=GP5dXmpo)
The vision of public art at Aalto University is to address and raise questions about what it is to be a university, what we do together in society, and what constitutes the public.
Based on these and other enquiries, 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 Väre
Artworks in Väre remind us of the power of art in its ability to explore and expose diverse sociocultural and natural phenomena.
![Aalto_university_Väre_artworks_Lumen_2018_photo_mikko_raskinen](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/1_6_288w_180h_d/public/2018-11/aalto_university_vare_artworks_lumen_3-9-2018_photo_mikko_raskinen_021_original.jpg?itok=kuDfoSB_)
The Human Approach – 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.
![School of Business - Image by Mikko Raskinen](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/1_6_288w_180h_d/public/2019-05/biz_vare_artworks_general_19-2-2019_photo_mikko_raskinen_044.jpg?itok=2nHmRMmd)
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.
![Artist Kristina Riska’s impressive ceramic artworks ’inevitableprogress I & II’](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/1_6_288w_180h_d/public/2021-03/Aalto_University_Toolo_lobby_inevitableprogress_artwork_Kristina%20Riska_09-2-2021_photo_Mikko_Raskinen_016.jpg?itok=iyRwe1NJ)
Engineering Materials art collection
One per cent for art principle was applied in the Engineering Materials collection
![LED art portraying text in different colours, while meandering up in the ceiling and round a corner at K3 building. The picture is taken from ground floor towards the ceiling, showing the social stairs of the building and the second floor office glass walls.](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/1_6_288w_180h_d/public/2023-08/Aalto_University_K3_artwork_Mycelium-of-the-Future_16-8-2023_photo_by_Mikko_Raskinen_018.jpg?itok=afxU3LAh)
Read more about the process of curating public art
Wall-art competition for Väre 2018.
Campus art competition for Otaniemi campus areas 2019.
Engineering Materials 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 artworks will be located in the K2 and K3 buildings in the Aalto University Works block
Impressive works by Sakari Kannosto and Kristina Riska are placed in the staircase and lobby areas.
The theme of the collection is Human Approach, and it follows the percent for art principle.
Collection was published with “Global Equality” as its art concept.
The new building for Aalto University's School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Väre, 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
Laura Piispanen, Noora Heiskanen, Jenna Ahonen and Ayda Grisiute convinced the jury with their creativity.
Artist Sakari Kannosto's artwork titled ‘Kiertää’ 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.
Read more
![Saban Ramadani, Photo by Hayley Le](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/2_3_288w_125h_d/public/2024-03/Aalto_University_Radical_Creatives_Saban_Ramadani_1_Photo_by_Hayley_Le_web.jpg?h=daf47070&itok=QeVfxnZX)
Saban Ramadani: Is it radical to create a rocket in a week?
‘When you are expected to come up with something quickly, for instance, in visual arts, is the purpose itself lost in the creative process? Is it radical to create a rocket in a week?’![Kirsi Peltonen & Taneli Luotoniemi (Eds.): Shapes in Action](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/2_3_288w_125h_d/public/2023-11/Shapes%20in%20Action.jpg?h=d1cb525d&itok=RjlZNbau)
Explorations in the realms of mathematics, art, design and architecture
Shapes in Action is a book for all those interested in interdisciplinary research and education.![Photo of students sitting in a lecture hall and drawing abstract portraits. The photo is surrounded by a blue frame.](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/2_3_288w_125h_d/public/2023-10/MicrosoftTeams-image%20%2810%29.png?h=62c7e4b3&itok=x8ja3LfV)
Sign up now for Art, Life and Entrepreneurship 1 course starting in period II
Find your path in the crossroads of art and entrepreneurship.![Konsta Klemetti happened to have a friend's silly and good-humoured dog in his care on the day of the photo shoot. Photo by Zina Marpegan.](/sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/styles/2_3_288w_125h_d/public/2023-09/Konsta%20Klemetti%20TOKYO%20Board%20photo.jpg?h=2e111cc1&itok=oOndxt8p)
Konsta Klemetti: Creative artistic thinking and finding surprising perspectives are ingrained in me
'It has been fun and enlightening to discover that there is a tribe, i.e., like-minded people at Aalto. Everyone accepts an idea, no matter how crazy it is. The culture is open-minded and accepting in a fun way.'- Published:
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