Art exhibitions are now attracting public interest because they offer a counterbalance to everyday life and a break from the news of war. The exhibitions have been discovered by people other than the regular customers of art museums.
There is a queue at weekends for the most popular exhibitions. After a long break due to the corona situation, the number of visitors is as high or even higher than before the pandemic.
Art museums report that exhibitions have found brand new customers. There is a gratifyingly high number of young people visiting the exhibitions, as well as men who are not regular visitors to the art museums.
The feedback from the organisers is that art is now being used to refresh everyday life and to break away from the sad news of war.
Brad Pitt becomes a hit in Tampere
The art museum’s exhibition *Thomas Houseago – We* attracted a lot of attention right after it opened in September, because world-class stars came to the opening.
According to the director of the art museum, the names Pitt and Cave are not the only reason for the exhibition’s popularity.
– *WE* is a joint concept of Houseago, Cave and Pitt. People are interested in the power of their friendship and creativity, says Anna Hjorth-Röntynen.
The exhibition has reached new art lovers. Along with regular visitors, customers who do not have a Museum Card and who only rarely visit exhibitions have found their way to the museum.
– Now you can see the return and enthusiasm of visitors after the corona era. For some, an art exhibition may be a completely new experience.
Hjorth-Röntynen thinks that the number of visitors to many art museums has risen to or past the time before the pandemic.
– Last week, the limit of 10,000 visitors was broken at our exhibition. We are very satisfied.
*Thomas Houseago – We 18.9.2022–15.1.2023.*
Queuing for Amos Rex
Especially on weekends, queues are a familiar sight at the door of Amos Rex from Helsinki. The latest exhibition has also been popular.
Even more than the number of visitors, he is happy about the feedback he gets from the exhibition.
– The exhibition has been praised and loved. The feedback has been overwhelming.
It will also be busy next week, when the art museum is filled with autumn vacationers.
Ida Kukkapuro believes that one of the reasons for the exhibition’s popularity is that *Silent Parade* offers people a peaceful moment away from the war news in Ukraine.
– According to the visitors, the exhibition is a break from sad things. It’s like a meditation that leaves you feeling good.
*Hans Op de Beeck: Silent Parade 21.9.2022–26.2.2023.*
Japan enchants at the Sinebrychoff Museum
The exhibition of Japanese woodcuts *Under the Cherry Tree* was filled with customers on the first weekend of its opening and you had to queue to get in.
On Saturday and Sunday, the exhibition was seen by more than a thousand customers per day.
– That’s a large daily number of visitors. Japanese woodcuts speak to Finns, says Eskelinen.
According to the director of the art museum, the visitor profile has also changed: many young people and men have visited the exhibition.
The Corona period was quiet for this art museum as well.
– You can tell from the queues at the museums that people have started moving again and now there really is an order for art, says Kirsi Eskelinen.
*Under the cherry tree – Japanese woodcuts October 6, 2022–January 15, 2023.*
Kiasma ARS22 ends on Sunday
In Helsinki, the Ateneum art museum is still closed due to renovations, but the contemporary art museum Kiasma is open. The big exhibition *ARS22*, which has been on display for half a year, will be open for the last day next Sunday.
– I am satisfied with the number of visitors and the international attention the exhibition has received and the praiseworthy critics, says Haapala.
*ARS22 – Live encounters 8.4. – 16 October 2022.*
The public has found a new Malva
Lahti visual arts museum Malva is a new organizer of art exhibitions. It opened its doors to the public in the spring of this year.
– The art museum has gotten off to a really good start, Jantunen states.
*Nanna Susi: Artist and furious love 7 October 2022 – 2 April 2023. Marjatta Tapiola: In other words, 4 November 2022 – 2 April 2023.*
