The Helsinki Biennial 2025, titled "Shelter: Below and beyond, becoming and belonging," will run from June 8 to September 21, 2025, transforming Helsinki into a captivating summer-long celebration of contemporary art focused on ecological, social, and psychological explorations of shelter.
This third edition of the Biennial gathers around 37 artists and collectives from Finland and around the world, including notable contributors like Olafur Eliasson and collaborative groups such as Band of Weeds (Finland) and LOCUS (Norway). The artworks will be displayed in three distinct venues
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Vallisaari Island in the Helsinki archipelago, a protected natural ecosystem untouched by human habitation for decades, setting the thematic core of the exhibition.
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HAM Helsinki Art Museum in the city center.
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For the first time, the centrally located Esplanade Park, bringing art directly to urban public space
Inspired by Vallisaari’s pristine biodiversity and set against the backdrop of the global climate crisis and biodiversity loss, the Biennial’s theme replaces anthropocentrism with an emphasis on non-human actors — plants, animals, fungi, and minerals — elevating them as protagonists in the artistic narratives. Indigenous narratives are also highlighted to foster holistic, sustainable relationships with the natural world.
The exhibition features approximately 50% new commissions and site-specific works, encouraging artists to respond to their unique surroundings and imagine alternative futures rooted in environmental care and interspecies connection.
The curators Blanca de la Torre and Kati Kivinen envision art as a form of shelter and compassion, capable of inspiring positive environmental action and empathy across species boundaries. The Biennial also integrates a thorough systemic sustainability plan which strives to reduce ecological impact, echoing Helsinki’s goal to become carbon neutral by 2030.
Visitors can experience a diverse range of artistic media, combining abstract art with installations, immersive environments, sculpture, and natural elements — all blending to narrate new models of coexistence and protection. This juxtaposition invites audiences to rethink humanity’s place within the web of life and to embrace climate optimism through art.
The Helsinki Biennial 2025 is a distinct example of how contemporary art can engage meaningfully with pressing environmental issues through site-specific and abstract modes, contributing to a growing tradition of eco-responsible cultural events.
Image: Site-specific installation at Helsinki Biennial 2025, showcasing the interaction between art and natural landscapes
(Source: Biennial Foundation)
For further information, visit the official Helsinki Biennial 2025 page: Helsinki Biennial - Shelter
Additional insightful coverage and critical analysis can be found at:
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Contemporary Lynx - Sheltering Nature at Helsinki Biennial 2025
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Frieze Interview - Sustainability and Art at Helsinki Biennial 2025
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Observer - A Slow Biennial: Helsinki’s Vision for Environmental Art
FAQ
Q1: When and where is the Helsinki Biennial 2025 being held?
A1: The Biennial is from June 8 to September 21, 2025, at three venues: Vallisaari Island, HAM Helsinki Art Museum, and Esplanade Park in Helsinki, Finland.
Q2: What is the central theme of the 2025 Biennial?
A2: The theme is “Shelter: Below and beyond, becoming and belonging,” focusing on redefining shelter through ecological, social, and psychological perspectives that center non-human life forms and sustainability.
Q3: How many artists are participating?
A3: Approximately 37 artists and collectives are invited, showcasing new commissions and site-specific works, about half of which are newly created for this edition.
Q4: What kind of artworks are featured?
A4: The exhibition features abstract art integrated with site-specific installations, sculpture, immersive environments, and multimedia works exploring human-nature relationships.
Q5: How is sustainability incorporated into the Biennial?
A5: The Biennial follows a systemic sustainability plan aiming to reduce environmental impact and promote ecological awareness, aligning with Helsinki’s carbon neutrality goals.
Q6: Can the public access the exhibitions easily?
A6: Yes, venues include accessible city spaces like HAM Art Museum and Esplanade Park, while Vallisaari Island offers a unique natural setting reachable by ferry.
Q7: Where can I find more information or visit virtually?
A7: Visit the official Helsinki Biennial website here and explore curated articles linked above for in-depth coverage.
This event marks a forward-thinking dialogue between art, environment, and society, fostering new understandings of shelter and coexistence as humanity faces ecological challenges.