Korundi - House of Culture

House of Culture | Rovaniemi

www.korundi.fi

Maaria Wirkkala: Found a Mental Connection, 1998, installation / metal plate, plastic animals, steel wires, books, photo

by Rauno Tr채skelin

House of Culture

The capital of Finnish Lapland - Rovaniemi - is

The inauguration of Korundi will be celebrated May

situated on the Arctic Circle. Bordering the arctic,

25th, 2011. On the premises of Rovaniemi's old mail

Rovaniemi has developed into a unique and exuberant

truck depot, Korundi will host the Rovaniemi Art

modern city.

Museum, which exhibits northern modern art, one

Culture in Rovaniemi is exceptional. The unique

of the most fascinating orchestras in Finland, the

temples of the human mind, rich folklore, stories,

Chamber Orchestra of Lapland, the museum shop

beliefs and the Nordic world view have all been shaped

and a cafĂŠ & restaurant. In addition, Korundi will

by the Arctic. Northern culture is bound to the

serve as a location for various events including

closeness and omnipresence of nature.

seminars, concerts and festivals.

The voyage to Rovaniemi, its culture, cultural history and the nature of Lapland whisks people from all over

The transformation from mail truck depot to the

Europe off to the source of their own souls. Where

Korundi House of Culture was designed by architect

ancient Greece and Rome are their intellectual home,

Juhani Pallasmaa. Korundi combines, in a unique

the Arctic and Lapland represent the home of their

fashion, music and art, Lapland cultural history and

hearts. This is where the mysterious charm and

modern, functional and aesthetically interesting

magical allure of Lapland stem from.

architecture. The old mail truck depot was built in 1933, and it is one of the few buildings that were not destroyed in the Second World War in Rovaniemi.

The depot was expanded after the war, and the bricks used in the building's expansion were gathered from the ruins around the city. The building is protected so that the only modification to its facade is the concert hall being realised as a new building in its inner court. The acoustics of the concert hall are top class. In addition, the hall can be used for recording and audiovisual presentation and recording.

Miniature model of Korundi, photo by Rauno Träskelin

Conducted by Artistic Director John Storg책rds, the Chamber Orchestra of Lapland has risen among the most interesting and versatile orchestras in Finland, reflected in the numerous invitations to visit festivals,

Chamber Orchestra of Lapland

the top ratings received by its recordings in the international music press as well as in the unique relationship with the audience that can be experienced among the loving and devoted Lapland audience.

Korundi will provide the Chamber Orchestra of Lapland with its first own concert hall in its history.

The hall's acoustics have especially been designed for playing chamber music.

The Chamber Orchestra of Lapland plays Finnish premieres of the works of international composers from all periods and it has given first performances of several prominent composers' works (among others, Aulis Sallinen, Kalevi Aho, Paavo Heininen, Pehr Henrik Nordgren and J贸szef S谩ri). The orchestra regularly hosts top visiting performers of the music world. During the 20092010 season, the visitors of the Chamber Orchestra of Lapland include, among others, pianist Olli Mustonen, soprano Barbara Hannigan, pianist Julia Smirnova and oboist Nicholas Daniel. The orchestra performs, in addition to Lapland, in the entire North Calotte area and around Finland, on top of their seasonal concert programme, at private events in varying assemblies.

In the future, Korundi will offer a magnificent setting for organising commissioned concerts to companies and travel agents, for example.

The jewel of the Rovaniemi Art Museum, founded in 1986, is the collection of the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation. It features key pieces of Finnish post-war fine art and Lappish modern art, more extensively. The research and presentation of

Rovaniemi Art Museum

northern fine art is a key mission of the Rovaniemi Art Museum. The Rovaniemi Art Museum is also a forerunner in digitising collections in Finland, and has carried out an interesting co-operation in art education with the University of Lapland.

Rovaniemi Art Museum organises exhibitions of its own collections as well as changing exhibitions with the focus on northern aspects, diversity and internationality.

In the future, it will also be possible to view classics of Finnish fine art in the Rovaniemi Art Museum.

Kari Cavén: Mummojen muisto, Memory of grannies, 2002, painted wood, photo by Rauno Träskelin

Anni Leppälä: From the series Taimet (joki), Seedlings (river), 2004, chromogenic colour print on aluminium, ed. 1/7, photo by Rauno Träskelin

Rauha Mäkilä: We Dance Alone (Boy), 2007, acryl on mdf plate, photo by Rauno Träskelin

Tommi Toija: Pikku pelkuri, Little coward, 2003, paraffin wax, dammar resin, pigment; plaster inside, photo by Rauno Tr채skelin

With Korundi, the Rovaniemi Art Museum grows and receives more space to present its fascinating collections as well as great surroundings for its versatile operations.

The collections of the Rovaniemi Art Museum can be viewed independently in the exhibition rooms. After the opening of Korundi, exhibition guides can be booked for groups. The new museum pedagogical premises of Korundi enable the organising of interesting workshops for schoolchildren, city residents and tourists.

Tuuli Mukka: Our Inner Selves, 2008, pigment ink print on canvas 1/3, photo by Arto Liiti

Korundi House of Culture Korundi House of Culture Rovaniemi Art Museum Chamber Orchestra of Lapland Lapink채vij채ntie 4 FI-96100 Rovaniemi Tel. +358 16 3221 www.korundi.fi

Front and back cover image: Marco Borggreve