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A ceramic relief out of white porcelain clay by artist Kirsi Kivivirta was chosen to be displayed at the main lobby area of the new building of Aalto University School of Business. The work on the building at Otaniemi campus will be finished by the end of 2018. The name of the piece is "Stage" and its atmosphere is stage-like, as it depicts a place that will create a setting for people and ideas to encounter.

"The droplets depict interaction as well as the continuous movement of thoughts and ideas. Single droplets form paths that grow and join with others to create droplet flows. They allow people to become part of the cycle of nature, rejuvination and life force", Kivivirta describes the artwork. Unique jigsaw-like wall pieces are in centre of Kivivirta's artwork, and her previous work can be seen in Musiikkitalo and Arabianranta.

"Aalto University's decision to invest in public art is extremely important. This ceramic relief by Kivivirta complements the building, and as a work of art is layered and interesting", Docent Susanna Pettersson, Aalto University's board member, comments on the unanimous selection of the jury.

Human approach

Public art at the School of Business aims to create an inclusive and dialogical experience and to create an open and low hierarchy working and learning environment. The art concept Human approach respects the past, still keeping an eye on the future. The art concept for School of Business was co-created by Aalto University’s Art Coordinator Outi Turpeinen with the students and staff of School of Business.  

More information:
Outi Turpeinen
Aalto University, Art Coordinator
outi.turpeinen@aalto.fi
+358 50 4314194

The vision of public art at Aalto University

In 2017, Aalto University decided to comply with a one per cent art principle in its building projects. The art percent is a funding model for art purchases, where approximately one per cent of a building project's funds are allocated to art purchases. The one per cent art principle was first applied to Radical Nature art concept in Aalto University’s main building Dipoli.

The vision of public art at Aalto University is to address and raise questions about what it is to be a university, what we do together in society, and what constitutes the public. Public art is site-specific and connects with the diversity of the university and its post-disciplinary communities. Public artworks reflect this diversity through different art forms, materials, techniques and traditions.

More on public art at Aalto University

Väre and the School of Business building

  The School of Business building will be completed by the end of 2018. The School of Arts, Design and Architecture building, Väre, will be completed in Summer 2018. The new block also houses the metro station, opened already, and the Aalto University Metro Centre with its shops and services. The architecture of the buildings is by Verstas Architects.