Nubben 100 events

Experiments in Concretism

Näyttely EMMA 06/03/2024—23/02/2025

06.03.2024 – 23.02.2025

Experiments in Concretism

Experiments in Concretism takes a fresh look at the long tradition of concretism and its contemporary variations. Concretism is a form of non-figurative art based on the use of geometrical shapes and structures. The exhibition presents the many facets of this diverse art movement, highlighting the expressivity and playfulness of various materials. The exhibition features many artworks that are spatial, experiental and also pieces that activate the visitor’s faculties of perception. At EMMA, the concretist pieces engage in a holistic dialogue with the industrial architecture of the Exhibition Centre WeeGee, designed by Aarno Ruusuvuori. The featured works are curated highlights from EMMA’s collections, some of which were acquired or commissioned especially for this exhibition. 

The exhibition places a special focus on the various ways in which contemporary art reinterprets and comments on modernism. It also celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Lars-Gunnar ‘Nubben’ Nordström (1924–2014), by presenting a pick of works associated with this pioneer of Finnish concretism and geometrical abstractionism. The exhibition takes audiences on a journey back in history to the origins of concretism by presenting a selection of abstract works both by L-G Nordström and his contemporaries. The exhibition was produced with the kind support of the Lars-Gunnar Nordström Foundation. 

Artists featured alongside Nordström are Timo Aalto, Martti Aiha, Siim-Tanel Annus, Elina Autio, Stig Baumgartner, Inka Bell, Juhana Blomstedt, Bård Breivik, Birger Carlstedt, Kari Cavén, Lars Christensen, Jacob Dahlgren, Sonia Delaunay, Ann Edholm, Carolus Enckell, Beryl Furman, Kristjan Gudmundsson, Jorma Hautala, Erkki Hervo, Ola Kolehmainen, Matti Koskela, Matti Kujasalo, Muriel Kuoppala, Antti Kytömäki, Leonhard Lapin, Maija Lavonen, Ernst Mether-Borgström, Eila Minkkinen, Maija Närhinen, Pekka Nevalainen, Jussi Niva, Lars-Gunnar Nordström, Paul Osipow, Kyösti Pärkinen, Ritva Puotila, Mari Rantanen, Silja Rantanen, Louis Reith, Ragna Róbertsdóttir, Pekka Ryynänen, Piila Saksela, Pekka Sassi, Hannu Siren, Sandra Sirp, Airi Snellman-Hänninen, Antti Ukkonen, Raimo Utriainen and Irma Weckman. 

Seminar Nubben 100

Näyttely Hanaholmen 31/10/2023—31/10/2023

Save the date!

In 2024, 100 years have passed since the forerunner of abstract art, Lars-Gunnar “Nubben” Nordström, was born. In honor of the anniversary, Hanaholmen, the Swedish-Finnish Cultural Foundation and Pro Artibus Foundation are organizing a seminar where international experts will share their knowledge of Nubben and his art.

The language of the seminar is Swedish. Read more here (in Swedish)

Nubben 100 – Lars-Gunnar Nordström, Robin Lindqvist, Jarkko Räsänen

Näyttely Gallery Hanaholmen 02/06/2023—04/02/2024

The gallery is open daily at 10–20, free entry.

The centenary of the birth of Lars-Gunnar “Nubben” Nordström (1924–2014) is being celebrated early with a joint exhibition arranged by Hanaholmen – Swedish-Finnish Cultural Centre and Pro Artibus Foundation. The artists in the exhibition obviously include Nubben, but there are also works by two of his soulmates – Robin Lindqvistfrom Sweden and Jarkko Räsänen from Finland.

Nubben’s oeuvre is well known in the Nordic countries, where his constructivist art has been much admired since the 1950s. The output of both contemporary artists in the exhibition is based on the abstract art tradition and, like Nubben, they are also interested in music. The works in the exhibition open up a broad vista of the realm of ​​abstract art and of its ability to depict both dynamic movement, intense peace, and everything in between.

More information: Programme Coordinator Aino Kostiainen, aino.kostiainen(at)hanaholmen.fi

In the spirit of Nubben in five ways

Näyttely Gallery Elverket 26/01/2024—14/04/2024

Lars-Gunnar “Nubben” Nordström wrote: “Jazz is living touching hearing seeing – and replicating” (Jazz är att leva känna höra se – och åter-ge.). The underlying idea behind the In the spirit of Nubben in five ways exhibition is the importance of multisensory experience and of variation in artistic work. The exhibition at Gallery Elverket presents five contemporary artists, all with their own style and voice, but they all dare to make unrestricted variations within the scope of their own artistic thinking, and to reflect critically. Their works go from multisensory to figurative to non-figurative and back, while creating new viewpoints on art and spaces for art.  The artists are: Oscar Hagen, Ville Laurinkoski, Jarkko Räsänen, Sasha Rotts and Man Yau.

Movements – modern city themes from the 20th century

Näyttely Erkkola Artists House, Rantatie 25, Tuusula 14/02/2024—26/05/2024

Movements – modern city themes from the 20th century
100 years since the birth of Lars-Gunnar Nordström

Exhibition Artists’ House Erkkola 14.2.-26.5.2024

Modern life with its urban themes entered Finnish art from the 1920s onwards. The great metropolises of New York and Paris were models for urban life. The city was also the milieu of painter, graphic artist and sculptor Lars-Gunnar Nordström (2024-2014). He started with cubist-inspired figurative works, but ended up as an airbrush for Finnish concrete art. Jazz music was a hobby Nordström loved. In his own abstract compositions, one can see music-like rhythm and expression.

In addition to Lars-Gunnar Nordström’s art, the Erkkola exhibition includes works by Sigrid Schauman, Väinö Kunnaski, Eero Nelimarkka and Ragnar Ekelund, among others.

Open 14.2.-28.4. from Wed-Sun 12-17 and 1.5.-26.5. from Tue-Sun 10-17
Admission 8/6/0 €

Erkkola Artists’ House, Rantatie 25, Tuusula. www.erkkola.fi

Dynamic Dimension – Nubben 100 years

Näyttely Kunsthalle, Helsinki 27/03/2024—19/05/2024

Lars-Gunnar Nordström

27.3.–19.5.2023

Lars-Gunnar “Nubben” Nordström (1924–2014) was an uncompromising pioneer of Finnish abstract art. In honour of his centenary year, Kunsthalle Helsinki will exhibit the full wide range of the prolific artist’s lifework, from early figurative creations to the very last works. Nubben used various media in his art, from graphic printing to sculpture.The extensive exhibition curated by Juha-Heikki Tihinen reveals the uncompromising nature of Nubben’s artistic thinking – uniform in style, but rich in variation.