EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art — Attraction in Helsinki sub-region

Enlightening experience! This museum was always on my list, and I am glad I finally made a trip here today. Known to be one of the largest art museums in the Nordic, it has a great collection of Finnish modern and contemporary artworks.

I used to have a misconception of Finnish modern arts being intolerant to modernism and diversity, but I learned that I was wrong. It is because I wasn’t perhaps exposed to artworks of Finnish artists, who are often underrepresented or under-recognised internationally. For this particular reason, EMMA is a must visit place for foreign residents like myself to learn about Finnish artists and their artworks.

I saw different exhibitions and collections of artworks and “semi-art objects” from glassworks to paintings, and I loved my time there. I got to learn a little bit about new artists and their works I had never known before, such as, Kim Simonsson.

I also enjoyed watching interviews of collectors and artists by museum staff (curators?), and it really shows that the museum tries to share thoughts and opinions of artists and collectors with visitors. It helps people understand the works and the stories behind.

This museum is not far from where I live, so I would like to visit...

EMBARRASSMENT OF RICHES! EMMA is probably the most underrated art gallery in Helsinki. Most tourists give it a miss as it's located in the suburbs, far from the glamorous “downtown” of Ateneum and Kiasma. But EMMA is definitely worth a visit (and easy to get to by metro). On the ground floor is the Collection Kakkonen of Finnish glass and ceramics. The wealthy businessman Kyösti Kakkonen donated over 1300 pieces to EMMA, with only part of his vast collection on show at one time. It’s a veritable treasure trove that represents the very soul of Finnish design. Upstairs in the cavernous halls, prepare to be amazed by a changing series of exhibits of emerging international art stars. Also, be sure to visit Bryk & Wirkkala Visible Storage — a visual catalog of the creative output of two masters of Finnish ceramics and glass. Exit through the gift shop, of course, where you will find books and gifts you weren’t...

Our favourite museum in Espoo 🙂 We are coming here quite frequently, not only to check the new exhibitions, but also to spend time. It became a mandatory stop during the walk around Tapiola-Westend. It’s a cozy, at the same time quiet big modern art museum in a walking distance from the Tapiola metro station. There are two floors, and multiple separate exhibitions of different artists, both Finnish and foreign, that are changed regularly. Mostly we like them, but lately it became too modern and lucking some elegance and technique in my opinion. It’s a pity that permanent exhibition about Espoo city was removed. It was an interesting one and informative, and there were no other alternatives to it in other museums, at least not that I know about. On Fridays it’s free admission and the museum is...