18.11.2026-30.05.2027

The exhibition explores the construction of power, the plurality of civil society, open dialogue, and people’s ability to participate, all of which are cornerstones of democracy. It examines how democratic decision-making takes place not only through elections, but also through everyday choices, community action, and opportunities for people to have their voices heard.

The exhibition approaches democracy from the perspectives of individual citizens, local communities, and global power holders alike. Eero Tiittula’s participatory artwork Exchange (Vaihto) explores democracy through encounters, inclusion, and visibility. Enni-Kukka Tuomala’s work Voting (Äänestys) examines the citizen’s relationship to elections and democratic structures. Meanwhile, DISGRACE! G.L.O.B.A.L. (HÄVETKÄÄ! G.L.O.B.A.L.) by Deos, Hende, and CROK raises questions of power and responsibility on an international scale. Through these perspectives, the exhibition reflects on the significance of democracy and the conditions necessary for its future.

As part of the exhibition, artist Eero Tiittula’s participatory artwork Exchange (Vaihto) explores democracy through human encounters and active participation. In the artwork, Tiittula invites local residents to share a moment over a cup of tea or coffee while he paints their portrait.

The portraits are displayed alternately at Vantaa Art Museum Arts and Vantaa City Hall, where they take the place of the city managers’ portraits in the City Board Chamber. At the end of the exhibition, the paintings will be gifted to the participants.

The exhibition displays a work created by young people from Vantaa, developed through a series of workshops organized in collaboration between Artsi and the Children and Youth Foundation’s Future School. During the workshops, participants explored and envisioned an empathetic and sustainable future for Vantaa. They reflected on the kinds of futures they wish to foster, as well as the skills, attitudes and actions required to bring about positive societal change.

The Children and Youth Foundation’s Future School is a pioneering initiative in futures education, combining methods drawn from futures studies with arts education to encourage young people to engage critically and creatively with the future.

The exhibition features perspectives from artists in the Vantaa Art Museum’s collection as well as invited artists.

The artists of the exhibition:
Deos, Hende & CROK, Tellervo Kalleinen & Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen, Matti Kolehmainen, Martti Könönen, Erkki Kulovesi, Heidi Linsén, Pekka Mattila, Marjukka Paunila, Bita Razavi, Nanna Susi, Eero Tiittula, Katja Tukiainen, Enni-Kukka Tuomala, Risto Vilhunen

The exhibition is supported by the Finnish Heritage Agency with a grant for artists’ exhibition fees.