Art enlivens Riihimäki's cityscape

On Riihimäki passers-by encounter art in their everyday life all the time. For a motorist, the city is almost a drive-in art exhibition. For example, at the roundabout of Pohjoisen Rautaitenkatu and Keskuskatu there is a small lost sculpture by Tommi Toija that evokes emotions. Behind it in Jukka Jalonen park stands the Topparoikka statue made in 1970 in memory of the Jykevä railway builders. A nearby housing company has ordered a small resin mural on its wall, and next to it is a colorfully painted distribution cabinet.

Anna Vesén, the cultural producer in charge, says that the city of Riihimäki has created clear principles of public art, which only a few big cities in Finland have.

"In the city's construction projects, i.e. in connection with new and renovation construction and the construction of streets and parks, one percent of the budget is put into public art. For example, 85 euros have been reserved for art from the municipal technology investment program next year. We can be proud that acquiring art in Riihimäki is smooth", says Vesén.

Art evokes emotions

The first public art acquisition related to street construction was Tommi Toijan's Eksynyt sculpture in 2018. It caused controversy, especially due to its small size and price of 9700 euros. There were also defenders, but the opponents were louder.

After a hectic beginning, the humanly cute Eksyne has become an important part of the cityscape. The townspeople like it. It is decorated on May Day and dressed in an elf hat at Christmas. Cartoons and souvenirs have been made inspired by it. The next work of art was already calmly received.

In Vesén's opinion, public art is meant to speak, open new perspectives and evoke emotions. You don't have to like everyone. With bold art choices, the townspeople are challenged to wonder about contemporary art and its meanings. The unique works of art form focal points in the environment and influence the identity of the area.

Riihimäki has two fields of public art that work nicely side by side and partially overlap: professional art and street art.

"Street art can also be done by professional artists. According to some, street art can be more approachable than the works of professional artists. Participatory art is always praised, and city dwellers like, for example, switchboard paintings. However, the urban space can accommodate many kinds of art experiences that enliven the everyday environment."

Impressive murals

The Riihimäki mural on the wall of the Art Museum, painted by visual artist Edwina Goldstone, is like a storybook. Most of the motifs are the ideas of the students of Lasitehtaa school, and the artist has transferred them to a 72-square-meter wall painting.

"Edwina has made another great mural in Peltosaari in cooperation with the local residents. A Pelmural was made on Ostar's wall, with colored pencils made from boards and photos of the residents."

Housing companies are also enthusiastic about wall paintings. Vesén states that, in the ideal case, the housing association could apply for financial support from the city for the work in the future, and the city would thus be able to participate in discussing the content of the mural.

Architect and mural artist Timo Tyynismaa has painted a spectacular lynx mural at Hämeenkatu 22. He has also made a small resin wall painting on Keskuskatu. Ari Heikkonen, property manager of both housing companies, says that the decision about the wall paintings was made quickly by the boards of the housing companies. Feedback on the murals has been positive, as they freshen up the facade of the building.

The most famous mural in the city is the Maija Isola painting on the Seurahuone wall, which was conceived and realized by the artist Patrik Korhonen. Born in Riihimäki, Maija Isola was a textile designer and artist whose most famous work is Marimekko's Unikko pattern.

Colorful boxes

Official city public art projects go through professional applications, but street art proposals often come from residents. The whole city got excited about the Boxit street art project in the summer of 2021. 96 proposals were received from the citizens and 38 of them were implemented.

Children and adults, professionals and amateurs eagerly joined. The lockers have works by both children and professionals. The project offered the authors painting guidance and painting supplies. The colorful lockers have received an enthusiastic reception, because they bring color and cheerfulness to the shabby little town.

"The park services also take care of the comfort of the city. City gardener Päivi Sundman's light decorations and roundabout arrangements beautify the street environment. A good example of the use of light is the Kirjastopuisto, which was renovated a couple of years ago."

What will we see next in Riihimäki? Vesén promises that light art will be seen during the dark time of the year and in the future at least there will be art in the Maauimala area.

Reija Ypyä

 

13 latest works of public art in Riihimäki

• Kontiontie mural, graffiti working group, Kontiontie 41
• Ilves mural, Timo Tyynismaa, Hämeenkatu 22
• Kuppikivi, Antti Tenetz, railway station underpass tunnel
• Noste, Laura Merz, library, Kauppakatu 16
• Maija Isola mural, Patrik Korhonen, Kauppakatu 11
• Riihimäki mural, Edwina Goldstone, Jarrumiehenkatu 7
• A new beginning, Jussi Goma, Oravankatu and Pohjoisen Rautatiekatu roundabout
• The birth of the rain, Helmi Remes, Uramo school, Uramontie 63
• Crossroads, Jaakko Pernu, Kulmala puistokatu and Etelan Viertotie roundabout
• Lost, Tommi Toija, Keskuskatu roundabout
• Hyrrä, Sampo Malin, ice rink, Hj. Elomaa katu 4
• Ketju, Anni Paunila, ice rink, Hj. Elomaa katu 4
• Pelmural, Edwina Goldstone, Linnunradankatu 17

Find distribution cabinets

Riihimäki city from the pages you can download the boxit gallery, where 38 distribution cabinets have been assembled for a virtual tour. The gallery has photos of the cabinets and the name or nickname of the painter of each cabinet. The gallery pictures are numbered and located on the map