Students’ art works illustrate Helsinki metro stations

Helsinki City Transport HKL organized a competition in the summer for renewing the visual outlook of metro stations in Helsinki. The winners have been selected and the works are already visible at the metro stations. Aim of the open competition was to search individual and easily identifiable look for each metro station. Altogether more than 70 proposals were submitted, of which 11 were selected for redemption.

Several of the selected works are made by Aalto students. Janne Koivisto and Misael Rojas, second year students of the New Media Design & Production programme at Aalto University Department of Media,designed the new look for the University of Helsinki metro station. Their work Eksyksissä muodoissa (Lost in the Forms) is based on the aesthetics of the 90s, the neon colors of the station and the visuals of HKL as well as the surrounding architecture.

"We both like the 90's style and we got the inspiration from neon lights. We wanted to have the same design in our work, and to also pay attention more widely in the environment through the neon light aesthetics”, tells Janne Koivisto.

The Chilean-born Rojas moved a year ago to Helsinki to study. "The University of Helsinki metro station was the first Finnish metro station I learned to know. The stations here differ from the ones I have been used to."

The artists hope that their work offers viewers recognizable shapes that have been picked up from the subway station's environment.

"Maybe our work inspires people to pay closer attention to their surroundings and details. It would be great if people who visit the metro station frequently would find new elements to their daily trip to work", the artists say.

The new art work Keskusta (Center) at Railway station metro station and work Kurvi (Bend) at the Sörnäinen metro station are created by Eeva-Stiina Niemi, a student of scenography and illustration. Art work Hakaniemen helmet (Pearls of Hakaniemi) at the Hakaniemi metro station has been created by Armi Teva, a student of ceramics and glass art.

The exhibition opens today 16 Nov 5 pm. at the Kamppi metro station.

Read more:

Misael Rojas’ blog