SACRAL SPACE – MODERN FINNISH CHURCHES
(30.1.2004 - 21.3.2004)
Modern Finnish church architecture is a unique phenomenon. Comparison is hard to find elsewhere in the world in quantity as well as quality. Churches were built in exceptional numbers after the second world war. Most modern churches have been built as the result of architectural competitions and thus represent the very best of their time. In addition to prominent architects, a large number of remarkable Finnish artists and designers have contributed to the interiors, lighting, textiles, articles and paintings of churches.
In the Lutheran church service, preaching and hearing the Word play the leading role. The most central place in the east-west oriented church is the altar and the pulpit. In a funeral chapel the essential feature is the feeling of the sequence of spaces, which frame the funeral procession.
In a church, architectural vocabulary is at its most delicate. In modern Finnish churches, the subtle interaction of light and space is the most characteristic feature. Another powerfully conveyed theme is the feeling of nature. These characteristics, instead of ornamentation, generate the pure atmosphere of today's Finnish church. Unpretentiousness has its origins deep in the past and national character.
Buildings in the exhibition:
Resurrection Chapel, Turku
Erik Bryggman, 1939–41
Otaniemi Chapel, Espoo
Kaija and Heikki Siren,1956–57, 1978
Church of the Three Crosses, Vuoksenniska, Imatra
Alvar Aalto, 1955–58
Vatiala Chapel, Kangasala
Viljo Revell, 1957-1960
Hyvinkää Church
Aarno Ruusuvuori, 1958–61
Kaleva Church, Tampere
Raili and Reima Pietilä, 1964–66
Temppeliaukio Church, Helsinki
Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen, 1968–69
The Chapel of the Holy Cross, Turku
Pekka Pitkänen, 1965–1967
Olari Church, Espoo
Käpy and Simo Paavilainen, 1979–81
Kauniainen Church
Kristian Gullichsen, 1979–83, Columbarium 1995–98
Church of St. John, Männistö, Kuopio
Juha Leiviskä, 1989–92
St. Henry’s Ecumenical Chapel, Turku
Matti Sanaksenaho 1995-
Exhibition organisers:
Museum of Finnish Architecture, Finland
Church Resources Agency, Finland
Tokyo Design Center, Japan
Exhibition publications:
A book in English, Sacral Space (142 pages, four-colour illustrations), has been published by Rakennuskirja.
(30.1.2004 - 21.3.2004)
Modern Finnish church architecture is a unique phenomenon. Comparison is hard to find elsewhere in the world in quantity as well as quality. Churches were built in exceptional numbers after the second world war. Most modern churches have been built as the result of architectural competitions and thus represent the very best of their time. In addition to prominent architects, a large number of remarkable Finnish artists and designers have contributed to the interiors, lighting, textiles, articles and paintings of churches.
In the Lutheran church service, preaching and hearing the Word play the leading role. The most central place in the east-west oriented church is the altar and the pulpit. In a funeral chapel the essential feature is the feeling of the sequence of spaces, which frame the funeral procession.
In a church, architectural vocabulary is at its most delicate. In modern Finnish churches, the subtle interaction of light and space is the most characteristic feature. Another powerfully conveyed theme is the feeling of nature. These characteristics, instead of ornamentation, generate the pure atmosphere of today's Finnish church. Unpretentiousness has its origins deep in the past and national character.
Buildings in the exhibition:
Resurrection Chapel, Turku
Erik Bryggman, 1939–41
Otaniemi Chapel, Espoo
Kaija and Heikki Siren,1956–57, 1978
Church of the Three Crosses, Vuoksenniska, Imatra
Alvar Aalto, 1955–58
Vatiala Chapel, Kangasala
Viljo Revell, 1957-1960
Hyvinkää Church
Aarno Ruusuvuori, 1958–61
Kaleva Church, Tampere
Raili and Reima Pietilä, 1964–66
Temppeliaukio Church, Helsinki
Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen, 1968–69
The Chapel of the Holy Cross, Turku
Pekka Pitkänen, 1965–1967
Olari Church, Espoo
Käpy and Simo Paavilainen, 1979–81
Kauniainen Church
Kristian Gullichsen, 1979–83, Columbarium 1995–98
Church of St. John, Männistö, Kuopio
Juha Leiviskä, 1989–92
St. Henry’s Ecumenical Chapel, Turku
Matti Sanaksenaho 1995-
Exhibition organisers:
Museum of Finnish Architecture, Finland
Church Resources Agency, Finland
Tokyo Design Center, Japan
Exhibition publications:
A book in English, Sacral Space (142 pages, four-colour illustrations), has been published by Rakennuskirja.
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