Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma

If only this exhibition can be unseen, I’d give a lot for that. This must be one of the biggest damages to Kiasma’s reputation during the recent years. When you’re coming to the modern art museum in the centre of Helsinki with tickets 20+ euros - you do have certain expectations. People come here with their families on the Saturday afternoon to have some good time and show their kids something inspiring, artistic and creative. Last Saturday only floors 4 and 5 were open (thanks for that, there were only 2 floors to ‘enjoy’) and the main space was taken by artist Sarah Lucas. Not sure what would be the best way to describe the creations exhibited there in a few words, except that it’s a “shock art” focused around genitals and sexualization of everyday objects, with a pretty dark somewhat demonic vibe… There’s always some ‘deeper meaning’ behind, of course. But what is exhibited now in the museum, it’s simply disgusting and disturbing and really dark. This would never allow to be exibited in US and most of other European cities. What I wrote - it’s not about being bias, nothing to do with the artist’s sexual orientation, or with the political views or position. The artist might have a mental illness or be under the effect of drugs, you could conclude it by watching some of the videos that are also present at the exhibition. Watching things created by mentally unstable person makes you feel a bit insane as well. There were a lot of people visiting museum that day: elderly, children, pregnant women, I wonder how it made them feel, I doubt it was a good feeling. It’s not about getting or not getting exhibition and some art being not for everyone. Seeing that Kiasma chose this artist and let her exhibit her work makes wonder if this is really the best what Kiasma can offer these days? Are people responsible for the new exhibitions doing their work properly? Do they remember that this is a family museum and not 18+ and they do not issue a warning about the disturbing images that you will see at the exhibition? This is a blow to the reputation of Kiasma and Helsinki city. Update: I had to remove some of the photos from the review since Google does not allow sexually explicit content (while Kiasma does 🙃) Update 2: Also saw a comment recommending the exhibition and calling it "art as experience " journey... If so, I'd call it a "bad trip"

Kiasma - Bold, Playful, and Thought-Provoking Kiasma never disappoints when it comes to showcasing the unexpected. This visit was a vibrant mix of materials, emotions, and messages — a walk through imagination, discomfort, humor, and reflection. From textured textiles and metallic forms to playful installations and emotionally charged paintings, the current exhibitions push the idea of “art as experience” rather than just display. The range of media — fabric, wire, wood, video, plastic - makes the visit feel dynamic and alive. Kiasma invites visitors to think, feel, and pause - and maybe even laugh — in ways that linger beyond the walls. Highly recommended for both regular museum-goers and those who say they “don’t get art.” This place helps you feel it instead.

Beautiful architecture by Steven Holl. Pity that the building was made smaller during the further development so that it’s already too small and difficult to expand due to the chiasmatic form with two building masses intertwining. Somewhat difficult to orientate and find the way. Interesting exhibitions change different times so that there’s always something new. The small museum shop and cafe are a big plus.

Loved the materials in this museum. Couldn't ever imagine such everyday things or videos or paintings or sculptures can be turned into art. Some people fund art in almost everything and that's the beauty of it. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. I fully understood this. Auditory and visual hyperventilation and a mix of repercussion and surreal hypotonic metabolism. Would love to go there again if I can manage time money and willpower.

Overpriced entry fee to see mostly trash. €22 is criminal The museum (I would call it a gallery) is conveniently located and easy to reach. The building design is impressive, more impressive than the art itself There is no art at all on level 1, and level 5 was filled with mostly vulgar art that cannot even be uploaded to a Google Map review. Parents be warned There was a children’s group during my visit and it made me think, the children could create better art than the “professionals” who have their art displayed. Only few pieces of art do I enjoy looking at. Rest should be thrown into the skip where they belong Many toilets. Facilities are great for people with disabilities. Lockers and cloakroom available, as well as a cafe (with average food and high prices). You can waste your money and time like I did and visit yourself, make up your own mind

Kiasma is easily one of my top two museums in Helsinki, though “understanding” what you’re looking at is optional. If you have a taste for modern art, it’s absolutely worth a visit—just bring an open mind and maybe a sense of humor. Some works are thought-provoking, others are quirky, and a few will make you wonder if someone accidentally dropped their recycling bin in the gallery. (My travel companion swore some pieces were actual trash. He might not be wrong, but that’s contemporary art for you.) The beauty is, Kiasma isn’t huge—you can wander through in a couple of hours, feel cultured, and still have time for a long Finnish lunch. And the building itself? A sculptural statement that upstages half the exhibits. Kiasma proves that art doesn’t need to be liked—or even understood—to be unforgettable. Sometimes it just needs to make you smirk, squint, and say, “Seriously?”

The building of Kiasma, Museum of Contemporary Art, is in itself a work of art. Of course the exhibitions of the museum are very high quality and some single artworks are masterpieces but walking there inside the building around is walking inside the artwork. It's almost intoxicating. In Helsinki there are some very interesting museums. No doubt, Kiasma is one of them.

A striking new building in Helsinki, part of the Civic complex worth the library and theatre adjacent. Clever ramped access to the galleries on each floor level. A mixture of exhibitions and attractive cafe area and gallery shop.

Very solid and interesting modern art museum. I liked how there was an overarching theme to the museum. Im not sure if this is something they update annually. I also liked the flow of the museum, easy to navigate and each exhibition rolled into the next. As with any modern art museum, some things are weird and unsettling and some things are simply stunning. I really liked the Shoplifter exhibit and the interactive elements in the Your on the Stage( I think that's what it's called) exhibit. Great way to spend a couple of hours while in Helsinki.

Comtemporary art Museum in the Heart of Helsinki ! Saw the Robert Mapplethorpe exhibition and it was just outstanding. They have a cafe and a shop which I didn't have the chance to visit. There is convenient access for handicapped people. Premises have been taken really good care of. Worth the money!

This is a great museum where you can easily spend two hours. It is easy to find as it is very centrally located in Helsinki. It is just opposite the Parliament House and very close to all the shopping centers (sokos, stockmann, kamppi, forum). The building itself is very interesting. It makes the visitor follow a route without trying to figure out where to go next. The whole building makes a path of it's own and it makes it easy to see everything without checking any maps. This was my second time there and both times I really liked the exhibition. There was no part that was permanent so it was nice to go through the whole museum again. And both times it was very different and interesting! So I say it is worth going, if you don't want to see something very typical Finnish, but something modern and different.

I'm not the biggest art expert, or even art admirer, but this place is just awesome. Unfortunately I came 2 days too late for one exhibition and 3 days too early for another so there were only 2 exhibits on offer, but wow what a place. The way the exhibition spaces merge into one another is near effortless. And yes, there were a few interactive installations, all of which were really engaging. The building itself is super cool, even the sinks in the toilets are unconventional. All the curves and ramps are almost hypnotic. I wasn't actively trying to keep track of where I was, but by the time I reached the end of the exhibition I actually had to think about how to get out, not that I really wanted to. There is free wifi, which is rad. And there's also little bits for kids to do.. but it's still an art gallery. I'd imagine the attention of children won't be held as long as yours might be.

This place was really weird, but not necessarily in a bad way. Some exhibits were very interesting and informative. There was an exhibit on refugees and their hardships and their stories, which I liked. But, as you go up stairs, the art becomes more and more strange. If you like art or something that is just out of the ordinary, definitely visit this place!

Wow, what a fun experience! I still think about some of the exhibits featured at this museum. The museum has unique artists and exhibits. When we went, they had art work by Ernesto Neto, Choi Jeong Hwa, and more. We went early on a Sunday morning, so there were few people. However, by about 11:30 am, the museum was becoming more crowded. There were museum employees everywhere, and one of them seemingly followed my mom and me, though we did nothing wrong and are not suspicious people at all! Many of the exhibits involve participation. One of the exhibits allowed us to rest in hammocks, and some allowed walking through and within the exhibit. The museum gift store had unique items to purchase. The museum offered free wi fi, but it did not work all of the time.

I find modern art a bit hit and miss. The work on show was a miss although the building was an interesting space. I came over the Easter weekend and there were an array of visits to see. Some of the exhibits were weird for the sake of it although I did like a boat made with beer cans by an Estonian artist to show the journeys made by Estonians to find work and the Finns in the opposite direction in search of cheaper beer.

1. Robert Mapplethorpe = sex and drugs and rock'n'roll from a different perspective, 2. Face to Face = too dispersed for me, 3. Elements = interesting. All in all: go and judge yourself! Art for art's sake always pays off!

Even if you are a lover of modern art, the Kiasma may not be for you. When I visited in mid-September 2012, two floors were closed due to construction of a new exhibit, to be fair. What was on exhibit was mediocre as a whole, with only a couple of works that stood out in my mind. The 3D macramé police car in the lobby was very cool, as was a series if three photographs of elderly Norwegian farmers wearing crowns of twigs. Other than that, I would not come back.

This is definitely Modern Art- don't come here expecting any portraits in frames or old masters. Even the building itself is bizarrely-shaped, both outside and in- very spacious, very very white, and with extremely odd acoustics that mean you can hear people talking several rooms away. It is split into lots of differently-sized exhibition spaces, many of which are rearranged on a regular basis, so you could check in advance to see what you're going to see. There's a lot of emphasis on video & sound in the art, and several rooms full of video art, as well as multimedia experiences that are a mixture of text, sound and projections. Each exhibition is introduced in reasonable detail, in Finnish and English, and a lot of it is rather fun. There's also a very good, if expensive, shop, which will sell you a wide range of art books of course but which is also worth visiting for its novelties- postcards, badges, and little gifts, all art-related but with a definite sense of humour. If you're in Helsinki it's definitely worth a look.

This is one of the most surprising, stunning and unusual Modern Art Venues in the Western World. From the architecture to the selection of displayed art, nothing in the Kiasma is "Mainstream". Yet, it is also not "forcedly hip" either. The art is fluid, quotable ("Are you REALLY SERIOUS about African dance? I think you are not SERIOUS ENOUGH!") and even photographs well. The light and routing of visitor streams make sure that noone disturbs the art, yet interacts with it. I'm in love with the Kiasma. it is quintessentially Finnish - both serious & sober, yet with a crazy and ironic streak that is reminiscent of a particularly unusual LSD trip.

I was on a tight budget while in Helsinki and had to make the hard decision about which museums to see and which to pass on. I choose Kiasma because it was a contemporary museum. I have nothing against older pieces of work but I like seeing what modern art has been created. Kiasma's building is a piece of art itself. Silver, full of windows, the building swooped and curved. As you walked through the building, up to different levels, you slightly wound around stark white walls. Sliding doors opened for you for each exhibit. Helsinki is such a wired city and the museum certainly didn't disappoint with free WIFI. Each exhibit flowed to the next. Lots of digital art installations and even installations requesting you to participate. I placed my hand on piece of metal along with thousands of others which was evident by the numerous hand shapes imprinted on the surface. I walked through hundreds of ribbons hanging from the ceiling. Although I didn't do any work an artist encouraged people to rearrange a set of blocks. Finnish electronic composer Erkki Kurenniemi had an exhibit of his own. He not only created music but he painted, was a photographer, and amongst other things, built a talking head that moved around on wheels. It talked back to you when you spoke to it and apparently dismayed a party goer so much that he kicked it. It was restored for Kiasma. My favorite piece was from an artist that used contrasting materials to show beauty in opposites. Tires hung from the ceiling by thick silver chains and blond hair hung from the tires. I was pleased with Kiasma and the art it housed.

This is a great modern art museum, and is not far from many other museums. It is a little pornographic I think, but that's what sells. I like the comic book art that goes on forever. It took me all day to read all of it. And you really do have to go see the animal massacre on the top floor. Superb!

I really liked this museum. The entrance fee was covered with the Helsinki card. Right as I walked in, there was a parked police car; the exterior had been completely knitted, down to the tires! There was also a lot of fun art . Pictures are permitted