Research & Art

Renewing society by art, creativity and design

Aalto University promotes creativity in all disciplines and communities. One of our strategic targets is to renew society through art, creativity and design. We are a forerunner in combining world-leading art and creative practices with research and education.
Unexepected encounters exhibition: Matilda Tuure's colourful glass work presenting Bacterial Cellulose Samples
Photo from: Unexpected Encounters exhibition (2016) Curated by Ksenia Kaverina, image: Mikko Raskinen

Culture shapes our identities, aspirations, values and relationships. It also shapes the cities and living environments, and the lifestyles we develop.

Art, design, fashion, cinema, architecture, visual communication and games are crucial elements of everyday life and society.

Unfolded

Aalto University UNFOLDED magazine focuses on contemporary issues dealing with creativity, experimentation, and transdisciplinary co-creation.

Read the magazine
Unfolded_logo
Dipoli artworks

Prominent art at Aalto University

Aalto University promotes visibility and impact of art and creativity both in society and at our own campus. Aalto University uses one percent of building costs to fund art.

Research & Art
Design_thinking_Mikko_Raskinen

Design Inside

Renewing societies requires world-leading design-based practices. The Design Inside initiative ensures we will have the world-class ability throughout Aalto to shape and explore the world around us.

Research & Art

News

A large printed ARTEFAKTI presentational panel with artists' names and exhibition text
Cooperation, Studies Published:

The Making of ARTEFAKTI

The founding story of ARTEFAKTI - the annual CoDe graduation show
Panu_Savolainen, photo by Hayley Le
University Published:

Panu Savolainen: I wish we would have a day when we remove the power dynamics completely

‘In many indigenous cultures, there are such periods, when leaders relinquish their power. Either that power is given to someone, maybe the poorest or most oppressed community member, or then the power isn’t used by anyone.’
Aalto Digital Creatives Batch 5 Kickoff iWing/Agrid/Aalto 12032024
Press releases Published:

14 ideas chosen to the Aalto Digital Creatives programme

Aalto University’s fifth pre-incubator programme was launched at the Aalto Startup Center on March 12th 2024.
Saban Ramadani, Photo by Hayley Le
Studies Published:

Saban Ramadani: Is it radical to create a rocket in a week?

‘When you are expected to come up with something quickly, for instance, in visual arts, is the purpose itself lost in the creative process? Is it radical to create a rocket in a week?’

Events

Read more about art, design and creativity

Graphic Design by Joosung Kang

ClimATE Events Programme 24.10. - 21.11.

ClimATE is an expanded exhibition and events programme at multiple sites and spaces across Aalto University’s Otaniemi campus, showcasing research, prototypes and works of art as well as workshops, readings and screenings that discuss climate change and food systems.

Events
Aalto artist-in-residence Matthew Wilson

A visual artist wielding more than a hammer

Aalto University’s fifth Artist in Residence Matthew C. Wilson explores the entangled nature of ideas.

News
Chiao-Wen Hsu: Eaten Water Photo Anne Kinnunen

Fragile Water exhibition highlights vulnerability of water resources

Water resources are limited and vulnerable in many places in the world. Design students and water researchers joined forces to visualise sustainable water solutions in the Fragile Water exhibition.

News
Takala made a bold artwork at accountancy firm Deloitte. The artwork shakes up everyday life in the office by essentially doing nothing. Hidden cameras were recording the other employees’ reactions to Takala’s unconventional working methods, as after two weeks of working, she simply sat down at an empty desk in silence. If anybody asked, she said she was doing ‘brainwork’.

Artist-in-Residence Pilvi Takala (2018): Art with your own body by misbehavin

In the Artist-in-Residence position at Aalto University, the purpose of art is to arouse questions in a cross-disciplinary manner.

News
Kreutzstrasse by Gloria Lauterbach. Image: Mikko Raskinen / Aalto University

Väre’s public art collection examines equality

Collection was published with “Global Equality” as its art concept.

News
Hans-Christian Berg's artwork is made specifically for the Dipoli building, says Outi Turpeinen. Photo: Jaakko Kahilaniemi.

The radical percent

Percent art will bring wellbeing, travellers and new ideas to the campus, says Art Coordinator Outi Turpeinen.

News
© Jella Bertell

Juuso Tervo wins 2018 Manuel Barkan Memorial Award for art education

Aalto alumnus and postdoctoral researcher recognized for excellence in art education research

News
vare_art_launch_photo_by_jaakko_kahilaniemi.jpg

Art in Väre by Vice President Anna Valtonen

Art gives us an opportunity to rethink all forms of knowing and doing. To be able to experience great art in our premises – to have this opportunity to rethink on a daily basis – is a privilege.

Research & Art
Aalto betaspace, an exhibition venue for students at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture / photo by Julia Weckman.

Aalto galleries and exhibition venues

How can we make space for unexpected ways of looking at the world? Galleries and exhibition venues are co-produced spaces for action, bringing together the knowledge, content, vision, and passion of different agents.

Research & Art
  • Published:
  • Updated: