Historical Culture, the Arts and Changing Nationality

The Gallen-Kallela Museum is involved in the artistic part of the Narratives of Finland project, which explores the historical culture of Finland, examining what kinds of narratives about Finnishness are produced and how these stories are received. Who can and cannot identify with these narratives?

Sara Moayed and Mia Seppälä produce the artistic content of the project for the Gallen-Kallela Museum. The works will be presented at the museum at the same time as Juxtapositions: Kimmo Kaivanto & Akseli Gallen-Kallela exhibition and will be displayed on the upper floors of the museum.

Sara Moayed’s artworks have their origins on the boundary of two cultures, in the dialogue between Iranian and Finnish culture. In Moayed’s artwork, the traditional textile and mosaic art methods inspired by Iranian culture are interwoven with the Finnish art industry and play with the idea of a gesamtkunstwerk – a comprehensive artwork.

Mia Seppälä’s community artwork is based on a new series of medals produced in cooperation with the 7th grade pupils of Puistopolku Secondary School in Helsinki and the 8th grade pupils of Kilonpuisto Secondary School in Espoo. The medals will become part of the Narratives of Finland exhibition in spring 2024.

The project’s artistic part consists of the artworks of nine artists selected through an open call in 2022. The artworks are presented in 2023–2024 in collaboration with the Mannerheim Museum, Helinä Rautavaara Museum, Cultural Centre Caisa, Gallen-Kallela Museum and Vantaa Art Museum Artsi.

The project is funded by the Kone Foundation and coordinated by the University of Helsinki’s discipline of political history.

Further information about the project: suomentarinat.fi