Reassessing International Art Exhibitions in Finland

A New Perspective into Exhibition History of the Second Half of the 20th Century

Abstract

Cold War politics accelerated artistic exchange and the transnational circulation of art. Within state-run cultural diplomacy, hundreds of art exhibitions traveled to Finland opening a rich and varied perspective on international art. Only a few of them have though made their way into the canon of exhibitions and consequently, into the Finnish history of art. Using a few Cold War art exhibitions as an example, the article challenges the established Finnish art historical canon of significant exhibitions. It demonstrates that many interesting exhibitions have been ignored or marginalized without a good reason due to prejudices or because they have been considered awkward, for instance, for political reasons. The formation of the art canon and exhibition histories are interrelated. Thus, the article suggests that Finnish art history of the second half of the 1900s would look different if more attention had been paid to a greater variety of art exhibitions. It argues that a more profound and detailed knowledge of exhibition histories would provide new perspectives into the transnational circulation of artistic influences and the impact of international art on Finnish art, artists, and the art scene.