Kiasma (Museum of Contemporary Art)
Kiasma (Museum of Contemporary Art) is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Helsinki audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~60 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type museum
- Suggested visit ~60 min
- Helsinki Helsinki guide
About Kiasma (Museum of Contemporary Art)
The Finnish National Gallery's contemporary art museum, a curved, light-scooping building by Steven Holl whose placement beside Marshal Mannerheim's statue caused a public row when it opened in 1998.
Kiasma is the contemporary art museum of the Finnish National Gallery. It was designed by the American architect Steven Holl, whose winning entry, titled 'Chiasma', was chosen from 516 competition entries. The museum opened in May 1998. The name is the Finnish form of 'chiasma', an optic-crossing term reflecting Holl's concept of intersecting geometries, and the building's curved form draws natural light through its galleries.
The museum stands on Mannerheimintie beside the equestrian statue of Marshal C. G. E. Mannerheim, near the Parliament House and Central Station; siting it so close to the statue was politically controversial at the time. Its collection includes works by roughly 8,000 artists, and the museum also runs a theatre programme within the building. Kiasma closed for repairs in September 2014 and reopened in March 2015, and drew over 310,000 visitors in 2016.
Did you know? Its name is the Finnish spelling of 'chiasma', the point where the optic nerves cross; Steven Holl built the whole design around the idea of two forms intersecting, so visitors curve rather than walk straight.
How long should you spend at Kiasma (Museum of Contemporary Art)?
Plan about ~60 min at Kiasma (Museum of Contemporary Art). That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Kiasma (Museum of Contemporary Art) worth visiting?
Kiasma (Museum of Contemporary Art) is one of the 21 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Helsinki, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Helsinki
Day 2 of the Helsinki in 2 days itinerary →
Updated:
Hear the story of Kiasma (Museum of Contemporary Art)
Preview the Helsinki tour free in the Gingerguide app.