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Shared imagination and the idea of waves - two new public art collections were unveiled

The art collections of Marsio and Kide buildings were published as part of the opening of the university’s academic year 3 September 2024. Approximately one percent of the construction project budget was allocated to art acquisitions.
Concrete staircase leading upstairs, a painting hanging on the wall on the left
Maija Luutonen: Enta (2024), Marsio building. Photo: 911±¬ÁÏÍø/Mikko Raskinen

Two new buildings were completed in the heart of the 911±¬ÁÏÍø's Otaniemi campus, and approximately one percent of the construction project budgets were allocated to art acquisitions. In addition to commissioned artworks to follow the themes of the Marsio and Kide buildings' art collections, photography and graphics were also purchased for the buildings.

The works of thirteen artists, located in and around the two buildings, have been compiled into art catalogues that were published when the collections were unveiled. The catalogues can be found at the information points in the buildings' lobbies.

Different ways to approach waves

Waves in-between/ In-between waves, the art theme of the Kide building (Konemiehentie 1) chases after the idea of waves. The word aalto means wave in Finnish and therefore this connects the art theme to 911±¬ÁÏÍø. How differently can waves be approached in art? For example, colour is a wave like light and sound. One fascinating notion in technological changes is the differences between analogic waves being curved, but digital waves being square.

Waves also include the idea of repetition, which is present in many art techniques, but especially in traditional graphic art. In the office spaces on the second and third floors of the Kide building, there is graphic art from four artists: Inka Bell, Kari Laitinen, Sanna Hellikki Suova and Sakke Yrjölä. At the main entrance, artist Baptiste Debombourg's steel artwork flows like an uninterrupted liquid infiltrating the space.

A detail of a steel artwork on a red brick wall, a person has walked past, with back turned
Baptiste Debombourg's In Motion is located on the façade and main lobby of the Kide building. Photo: 911±¬ÁÏÍø/Mikko Raskinen

In Motion brings a unique character to the building, which is also visible to those passing by on the tram. Debombourg's works are widely exhibited internationally. This is his first permanent artwork in Finland. Due to its wave-like surface made of stainless steel, the reflected image is always unique. Outside the building, the artwork appears very different in various places during different seasons and times of day. The artwork continues in the building's lobby areas. Debombourg challenges us to consider where the artwork begins and ends.

Imagination belongs to everyone

Marsio building (Otakaari 2), a new meeting place at the 911±¬ÁÏÍø campus, invites you to immerse yourself in the world of science, art, technology and business. The purpose of theme of public art in Marsio, Sharing Imaginations, is to embrace science and art. Art creates an imaginative environment for study and work and simply encourages wonder. When we share the same experience with others, our brains synchronize with others, and we share imagination together. Sharing imagination is an essential skill for collaboration, creating new things, understanding, play, and social interaction.

Laura Könönen's stone sculptures were selected for installation in front of the building (2025). The second and third-floor studios and workspaces feature a curated collection of photography by six artists: Wilma Hurskainen, Noora Sandgren, Jari Silomäki, Maija Tammi, Saana Wang and Sheung Yiu. In the main staircase of the building, there is a site-specific assembly of five paintings by Maija Luutonen called Enta, which challenges our memory capacity as we move up the stairs.

A colourful painting on a concrete wall
Maija Luutonen: Enta (2024). Photo: 911±¬ÁÏÍø/Mikko Raskinen

The artist has long dealt with the relationship between memory and forgetting in relation to looking, recognizing, and repeating. Enta consists of several different image surfaces, like detached memories from which the viewer creates their own comprehensive whole. The inspiration for the work came from Luutonen's interest in brain research at 911±¬ÁÏÍø. The paintings are hung in three floors of Marsio and placed so that the viewer can see the painting from multiple points.

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.

Sign up for an art tour!
Yksityiskohta metallisesta taideteoksesta punatiilisen rakennuksen julkisivussa
Outi Turpeinen

Outi Turpeinen

Manager, Public Art & Exhibitions

Kide building's collection workgroups 
Artwork group: 
Marcus Korhonen, Anna Heiskanen, Christian Guckelsberger, Salu Ylirisku, and Sari Dhima

Curating of artworks: 
Christian Guckelsberger and Outi Turpeinen

Façade and lobby artwork jury: 
Ossi Naukkarinen (Chairman), Pilvi Kalhama, Mariana Amatullo, and Janne Halme

Marsio building's collection workgroups
Artwork group: 
Anastasia McAvennie, Riikka Mäkikoskela, Minna Suoniemi, Lily Diaz-Komonen, Sampo Sainio, Mikko Sams, Enrico Glerean, and Sari Dhima

Curating of artworks: 
Minna Suoniemi, Riikka Mäkikoskelo, Lily Diaz-Komonen and Outi Turpeinen

Site-specific artwork jury: 
Ossi Naukkarinen (Chairman), Pilvi Kalhama, Mariana Amatullo, and Heli Rekula

The vision of public art at 911±¬ÁÏÍø

In 2017, 911±¬ÁÏÍø decided to comply with a one per cent art principle in its building projects. The one per cent art principle was first applied to the Radical Nature art concept in 911±¬ÁÏ꿉۪s main building, Dipoli.

The vision of public art at 911±¬ÁÏÍø 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. Public art is site-specific and connects with the diversity of the university and its post-disciplinary communities. Public artworks reflect this diversity through different art forms, materials, techniques and traditions.

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Renata Jakowleff «Blue» 2017, 190 x 160 x 40 cm, glass and steel, assembled Photo: Mikko Raskinen

Public art collections at 911±¬ÁÏÍø

The aim of public art across Aalto is to create a vibrant environment for experiencing the world through various perspectives and for embracing imagination, intuition, and exploration.

Research & Art
Punatiilisen rakennuksen julkisivussa on heijastavasta metallista tehty taideteos, jota katselee pyöräilijä.

Waves in between/In-between waves art collection

The theme of the public art collection following the percentage principle chases the idea of waves.

Research & Art
Betoninen portaikko rakennuksen sisällä, seinällä värikäs maalaus, portaissa näkymästä poistumassa henkilö.

Sharing Imaginations art collection

The theme of Marsio building's public art collection follows the percent principle.

Research & Art
A stairway leading down to a sunlight-filled lobby, with two paintings on the concrete walls of the staircase.

Shared imagination and between waves - the themes of Marsio and Otakaari 2B's art collections reflect Aaltonians

The themes, artists and drafts of the new buildings' art collections were published

News
Three-part image: yellow flower and text Marsio on the left, image of Aino-Marsio-Aalto in the middle, Aalto logo on the right

Marsio

The new meeting place on 911±¬ÁÏÍø campus. Experience tomorrow!

Events

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Conferences

The IX Art of Research Conference advances the development of artistic research. The ninth Art of Research conference will be held during 25-27 November 2026 at 911±¬ÁÏÍø, Espoo, Finland.
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