The Helsinki Biennial 2023’s title New Directions May Emerge refers to an alternative way of living in and understanding the world and of imagining other possible futures. The artworks discuss burning questions of our time, including environmental destruction, political conflicts and the impact of technological development. The biennial invites us to pay attention to what surrounds us – people, plants and animals – and to become aware of any possibilities for change. It also invites us to explore human and more-than-human scales, real islands and imaginary new worlds. The biennial tickles imaginations and teaches about compassion, sustainable development and the mutual dependencies between humans and others.
in Vallisaari from 11 June to 17 September 2023
Tue–Sun 11–18
in HAM from 11 June to 22 October 2023
Tue 10–17.30, Wed–Sun 11.30–19
There are about 16 artworks in total displayed on the island. The artworks located indoors are open to the public from 11 am. However, you can come to the island in the morning as soon as the waterbus services start. In addition to the island’s nature and historical sites, it is possible to experience about 5 of the Biennial’s artworks that are located outdoors on the island before 11 am.
Please explore Vallisaari Island using the marked paths, as the island’s natural environment is sensitive to erosion. This historical island also has many dangerous structures and cliffs.
Dogs are welcome on Vallisaari, but the indoor areas are not accessible to pets. Let’s keep Vallisaari neat and tidy for visitors and the island’s organisms. Please put your rubbish in the bins; there are several recycling points along the route.
On the island, you can recycle bio and energy waste, as well as bottles and cans. Read more about the rules and regulations on Metsähallitus’ nationalparks.fi website.
Waterbuses to Vallisaari depart from the Lyypekinlaituri pier in the Market Square. Waterbuses on the circular route depart from the Parrulaituri pier in Kalasatama. The journey to Vallisaari from the Market Square takes about 20 minutes.
Groups are required to make a reservation for the waterbus in advance. You can view the waterbuses’ timetables and fares and make reservations for your group here.
The ThingLink online learning platform for school groups is available on the biennial website in Finnish and in Swedish. ThingLink’s material is intended for children in grades 4–6. Its content combines art, nature and history in a fun and age-appropriate way, considering broad learning objectives. The material is designed to be used primarily in Vallisaari but can also be explored without a visit to the island. The ThingLink material has been produced in cooperation with expert teachers from the City of Helsinki Education division. The material on ThingLink is available in Finnish and Swedish. For teachers and other educators, ThingLink includes an additional section, which can be used for phenomenon-based learning modules or for elaboration after the island visit.
The ThingLink online learning material introduces the biennial’s themes through tasks that combine various school subjects. ThingLink is a virtual learning environment with interactive elements, including images and sound. The tasks on ThingLink can be completed during the visit to Vallisaari or at school. The virtual tour has eight control points, and each point includes open questions, multiple-choice questions and questions to be completed at school. The free-of-charge learning material on ThingLink will be available from early August.
Helsinki’s Culture Path activities ensure that pupils are offered the opportunity to learn about a wide range of cultural content and events during basic education. Helsinki Biennial is located on the Culture Path followed by schools in Helsinki and it is recommended as a place for 5th graders, in particular, to visit.
Read more about the Culture Path trip for Helsinki’s 5th graders
Curator Joasia Krysa an coordinating curator Petronella Grönroos have picked a selection of video art from HAM’s collection. This 45-minute selection will be screened in cultural centres around the city in August and September. The screenings include a brief introduction of Helsinki Biennial and a learning material package intended for lower secondary–level students.
Duration: 1 hour
Price: free
Locations: Stoa, Vuotalo, Kanneltalo, Maunula-talo
In 2023, Helsinki Biennial can be experienced in HAM as well. HAM will display artworks by artists Tuula Närhinen, Diana Policarpo, Bita Razavi and Tabita Rezaire, as well as the INTERPRT collective of artists and researchers.
You can book guided tours and workshops for schools in HAM from August 2023.
This year, Helsinki Biennial will extend to HAM with artworks from five artists. The guided tour will introduce the Helsinki Biennial’s themes. The tour will include an exploration of the seabed’s hidden secrets, from cable networks to entire cities and traces left by humans.
Duration 45 min
Price €25
Intended for all age groups, specifically 5th to 9th graders and upper secondary–level students
Paint microscopic views using seaweed paints! In this workshop, you will explore aquatic micro-organisms and plant tissues using microscopes and a video projector and then paint images of them on watercolour paper using plant based colours and superfood powders.
Duration: 1.5 h
Price: €35
Intended for 1st to 9th graders and upper secondary–level students
Please contact us!
Pinja Petäjä
Producer of Education
pinja.petaja@hamhelsinki.fi
+358 40 773 1509
