Pavilion of Finland at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
The Finnish Pavilion unveils Mind-Building at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3.00pm today, Thursday 24th May. Finland’s representation at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia responds to the theme ’Freespace’ – set by the Curators Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara – by transforming the Alvar Aalto-designed Pavilion of Finland into a temporary library space. Titled Mind-Building, the exhibition explores the development of Finnish library architecture and showcases Finland’s leading role in developing the libraries of the future.
The exhibition is conceived by Commissioner Hanna Harris, Director of Archinfo Finland, and Curator Dr Anni Vartola, architecture critic and architectural theorist. The exhibition design is by Tuomas Siitonen and the graphic design by Johannes Nieminen. Mind-Building rests on the idea of the public library as a case-study of modern monumentality. The exhibition considers libraries as buildings that remind us of the values of the civic society and the power of enlightenment. The exhibition showcases Finnish libraries through a thematic selection of architectural designs, objects and specially commissioned sound and video work. The earliest library is the Rikhardinkatu public library from 1881 – the first building in Finland designed specifically for library use – whereas the newest example is the Helsinki Central Library designed by ALA Architects and due to open in December 2018.
Hanna Harris, Director of Archinfo Finland, and Commissioner of the 2018 Pavilion of Finland said:
“Library architecture has always responded to changes in the library institution and in society. Today, Finnish libraries are a place for learning, doing and sharing. Taking the form of a free space for all, they act as a forum for civic engagement and social inclusion.
“In this exhibition, we will present a selection of libraries that show the continuous development of the public Library in Finland, a country with a deeply engrained love of libraries and literacy. We aim to show the past, present and future of the Finnish library alongside our own usable library installation, providing a welcome to all within our Alvar Aalto-designed pavilion.”
Dr Anni Vartola, architecture critic, theorist and Curator of the Finnish Pavilion said:
“The public library was originally perceived as the symbol of progressive societal aspirations. Today it is protected in Finnish law as a non-commercial common ground for active citizenship, freedom of expression, intellectual and creative freedom.
“Our response to the theme of ‘Freespace’ is to explore the potential within the Finnish public library of the 21st century to create a ‘popular monument’: a noncommercial public space which is open for everyone, free for everyone, belonging to everyone and used for everyone’s benefit.”
The central role of the public library in Finland’s civic life will be expressed by the opening in late 2018 of Oodi designed by ALA Architects, a new Helsinki Central Library that faces the steps of the parliament building in Helsinki, a symbol of the relationship between the government and the public. Oodi will extend the public square flanked by Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art and Helsinki Music Centre into an interior space open for all, every day of the week. The wood-covered frontal façade turns into a large canopy giving shelter to public events and gatherings.
Finland was named the world’s most literate nation in 2016 and Finns are amongst the world’s most enthusiastic users of public libraries: the population of 5.5 million people borrows close to 68 million books a year. Finnish libraries have also explored new services in addition to loaning books and e-publications; these include services such as lending sports equipment, power tools and other items of occasional use.
Mind-Building is organised by Archinfo Finland and presented with the support of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland as well as the City of Helsinki, the Embassy of Finland in Rome, Visit Finland, Visit Jyväskylä, Visit Seinäjoki, Artek, Konto Acoustics, MTAB Finland, The Building Information Foundation RTS, Arkkitehti – Finnish Architectural Review, Alvar Aalto Foundation and Helsinki City Library.
