Experiments in Concretism

EMMA, Espoo Museum of Modern Art

Espoo | Finland

Mar 06, 2024 - Mar 02, 2025

EMMA鈥檚 collection exhibition offers a fresh take on the long tradition and contemporary forms of concrete art. Featuring work by more than fifty artists, the show highlights the complexity, material diversity and playful approach of the movement.

Concretism is an art movement characterised by the use of non-representational forms, structures and geometry. The exhibition at EMMA presents concretist works from different periods, from the very beginning of the movement in the 1950s to the present day. Works from the museum鈥檚 own collections are complemented by artworks acquired or commissioned specifically for this show. Many of the works are spatial and seek to activate the viewer鈥檚 faculties of perception. In the context of EMMA, concretism finds significant resonance with the industrial and geometric architecture of the WeeGee building designed by Aarno Ruusuvuori.

Experiments in Concretism also celebrates the centenary of the birth of Lars-Gunnar 鈥淣ubben鈥� 狈辞谤诲蝉迟谤枚尘 (1924鈥�2014), a pioneer of Finnish concretism, by showcasing the legacy of his work. The selection of works by 狈辞谤诲蝉迟谤枚尘 and his contemporaries serves as a time capsule for the roots of concrete art.

The works by Elina Autio were commissioned by the L-G 狈辞谤诲蝉迟谤枚尘 Foundation for this exhibition and were generously donated to the EMMA Collection.