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Works of Art in City Hall
In the 1970s a collection representing the best and most
interesting Finnish art was acquired for City Hall, almost
completely rebuilt in the 1960s under the direction of Professor
Aarno Ruusuvuori. Some of the paintings and sculptures came
from the Helsinki City Art Museum, and some, such as Valoseinä
(Light Wall, 1971) by Eino Ruutsalo, were specially commissioned.
Huviretki (The Outing, 1907) by Pekka Halonen was originally
commissioned for the hall-cum-gym of a Helsinki elementary
school. The lyrical mood is evocative of the eternal summer
of childhood. The painting is now the focal point of one of
the large expanses of wall in the ground floor entrance hall.
(Above)
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Ihmisiä aikojen
saatossa (People in the passing of time, 1969-1971) by
Professor Eila Hiltunen, creator of the Sibelius Monument,
dominates the first floor hall. The eight faceless figures
fettered by their emotions are made of brass, copper and
steel. |
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Kaupunki auringossa (The city in the sun, 1975), a
relief made of tiles of different sizes by Rut Bryk,
calls to mind a map of Helsinki. A sense of rhythm is
created by the few bright colours, and on sunny days
it acquires a warm hue thanks to the natural light streaming
in through the skylights.
Ketju (Chain, 1971) by Kimmo Kaivanto is a markedly
vertical work. Thanks to the mirrors placed above and
below it, the impression is one of infinity. According
to the artist, it depicts community and growing mutual
dependence. The work is dedicated to friendship between
the nations of Europe.
Oscar Kleineh on the wall opposite the windows overlooking
the South Harbour in the Mayor's reception room, is
a portrait of a city rising from the sea. The lines
guide the eye to the administrative centre glowing in
the sunshine.In the foreground is a rya rug called Metsä
(Forest) by Uhra-Beata Simberg-Ehrström. This rug was
frequently singled out at the World Expo in Montreal,
Canada in 1967.
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Edelfelt of Senator Leo Mechelin, the first chairman
of Helsinki City Council 1875-1876. He served a second
term in office 1892-1899.
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The portrait (1919) by Eero Järnefelt of Alfred Norrmén,
chairman of Helsinki City Council 1904- 1918.
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Photos from
the work of arts of Helsingfors stadsmuseum:
Hanna
Rikkonen/Kuvasto.
© Kuvasto 2001, Helsinki City Art Museum: The works of art
may not be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means
electronic or mechanical, including down-loading and print-out
or by on-line-access or any information storage and retrieval
system without a written permission from the copyright holders.
All rights reserved © the Artists and Visual Artists' Copyright
Society Kuvasto 2000. The original publication: Helsinki City
Information Office o Artwork: Harri Heikkilä Oy ISBN 951-772-518-3
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