The third edition of the Helsinki Biennial will take place in the Finnish capital from June 8 to September 21, 2025, exploring the concept of 'refuge' as an inclusive space for all living beings. The event will be hosted across various city locations, including the former military base on Vallisaari Island, aiming to establish Helsinki as a leading cultural destination.
The curators, Blanca de la Torre and Kati Kivinen, emphasize a transformative approach that shifts away from anthropocentric perspectives, prioritizing non-human forms of agency in the artworks presented. The guiding principle of the Biennial is encapsulated in the phrase 'no humans allowed,' encouraging a radical rethinking of how art can engage with ecological and sustainable practices.
The theme 'Refugee' invites a reevaluation of methodologies in listening, discourse, presentation, and exhibition, fostering new welcoming spaces. The curators selected artists based on their nuanced sensitivity towards ecology and sustainability, aiming to highlight extra-human ecologies through systemic approaches.
The Biennial is an initiative of the HAM Helsinki Art Museum and the city of Helsinki, engaging with the urban environment through interconnected routes represented by selected venues. This structure is designed to connect diverse audiences, from professionals to those encountering contemporary art for the first time, while conceptualizing the notion of 'public' as inclusive of non-human entities.
Public art plays a crucial role in the Biennial's mission, aiming to leave a significant and lasting legacy that enriches the city's cultural identity through sustainable practices. By enhancing Helsinki's international profile, the Biennial will also strengthen recognition of the Finnish art scene on a global stage.
Visitors can expect a wealth of exciting new materials alongside traditional forms, showcasing non-human protagonists and promoting optimism for desirable futures. The curatorial approach emphasizes fewer selected artists, allowing for deeper engagement with their work, in line with the concept of a 'slow Biennial' that values quality over quantity.
In collaboration with the John Nurminen Foundation, the Biennial will also feature a newly commissioned artwork addressing ongoing environmental protection efforts in the Baltic Sea.