What is Kiasma Museum?
Fans of modern and contemporary art will find them wanting to go Kiasma, located perfectly downtown Helsinki and easily reached from anywhere in the city center. Many of the exhibitions presented here are quite controversial and sure to stimulate the guest's mind and senses. Since it is so easily accessible, it is a perfect place to fill in time in your itinerary or to just admire the architecture and take pictures of the magnificent building.
"Kiasma is a contemporary art museum located in Helsinki, Finland. Kiasma is part of the Finnish National Gallery. One of the leading museums of contemporary art in the Nordic region, Kiasma delights and provokes, impresses, surprises and entertains.
The museum showcases and collects art of our time. It seeks to make contemporary art accessible to as large an audience as possible and thereby to offer people new experiences and new perspectives on life. Kiasma is the perfect place to enjoy and experience art.
What does Kiasma mean?
Kiasma is Finnish for chiasma, a term that describes the crossing of nerves or tendons or the intertwining of two chromatids, the thread-like strands of a chromosome. The name is a fitting symbol for a museum of contemporary art: Kiasma is a place of encounters. It is an arena for the exchange of opinions and the redefinition of art and culture."
-Kiasma.fi
Kiasma Museum of Modern Arts in a Nutshell
- Completed 1998
- about 300 00 visitors in a year
- Main venue for the Ars-art exhibitions (every 5-12 years)
- Kiasma collection of art consists of over 8000 pieces of art
- Hosts temporary exhibitions, collection exhibitions as well as performances
- The building was designed by Steven Holl
- Free admission every first friday of the month
How To Get To Kiasma Museum?
From around Helsinki:
- Easily reached by walking from anywhere downtown Helsinki
- Get to Central Railway Station, Elielinaukio, Rautatientori or Kamppi stations and walk from there.
- The closest subway station is Central Railway Station
- Trams 2, 4, 7, 10 pass just by Kiasma Museum
What to do at Kiasma Museum?
Start by admiring the architecture of the four-floor building designed by American Steven Holl. The building is best viewed from the street side of Mannerheimintie, across the Eduskuntatalo - Parliament House. Take pictures and see how the big windows of this beautiful building take in the natural light of Finland and reflect the city and life of Helsinki.
Inside you can pay to get into the current exhibition. Prices are 14€ per person, 12€ for elderly and free for guests under the age of 18. The exhibitions are contemporary and often challenges the mind and opinion of the viewer. Sometimes Kiasma's ever-growing collection of art will be presented at the exhibition. See the exhibitions here: https://kiasma.fi/en/exhibitions/
If you plan ahead, you can find a performance to see when you visit, great chance to experience some live modern art. See upcoming performances here: https://kiasma.fi/en/performances-events/
If you are in need of a break or wish to visit without entering the exhibitions, it is a great idea to visit the downstairs cafe which offers lunch, ala-carte dinner alongside coffee, desserts, and snacks. http://kiasmacafe.fi/
