25.6. — 28.6.2026

Vieno Motors and Friends: Botanical Epiphany is a four-day spectacle that will take place at Forum Box during the 2026 Helsinki Pride. Vieno Motors offers a lush Walk-In Closet, a Helsinki-style tropical Narnia wardrobe, from which the world opens up, where human and plant bodies mix experientially in many different ways. The range of performances includes flowering performances, concerts, an experimental picnic, and choreographic performances between machines and plants.

Vieno Motors is a performance concept developed through collegial interaction. Since 2014, over 80 artists from different backgrounds have participated in Vieno Motors actions that combine plants and creative methods. Anarcho-florist blooms have been seen in the winter storm of Reykjavik, in the Berlin subway, on the side streets of Brooklyn, and in the warm night of Rome. The international group of artists convened by the visual artists Ilona Valkonen and Paavo Halonen are the organizers and performers of the Vieno Motors and Friends: Botanical Epiphany event.

Artists:

Jo R Abusland (NO), Heini Aho (FI), Komugi Ando (JP/FI), Tristor Blue (FI), Beniamino Borghi (IT/FI) / TanssiARTesaani, Birch Party – Islaja (FI), Simo Vassinen (FI/DE) and Paula Karvonen (FI) / Biotheatre, Anne Hiekkaranta (FI), Appu Jasu (FI), Antti Kauppinen (FI), Justyna Koeke (PL/DE), Ulla Kokki (FI), Heidi Lunabba (FI), Lotte Nilsson-Välimaa (SE) and Katarina Wiklund (SE), Plant Based Stories – Pia Sirén (FI), Mirella Pendolin (FI), Ada Katz (FI) and Esko Grundström (FI), Juuli Rantaniemi (FI), Räkälicious (FI), Emmi Valve (FI), Mirja Ylänne (FI) and surprise guest performers

PROGRAMME

THURSDAY 25 June

11-20 Exhibition and Epiphany Café open

Blumen Fitness, Justyna Koeke, pop-up performances throughout the day

12-20 Vieno Motors, interactive durational performance

12-20 Bunny Express, Komuki Ando, durational performance

14-16 Poster JOY, Jo R Abusland, analog queer poster workshop, drop-in participation

15-20 Sauna Obscura -tent edition, Heidi Lunabba, participatory installation. Please bring swimwear and a towel. Mixed-gender sauna, open to all genders.

17-17.03 The Swing, Lotte Nilsson-Välimaa ja Katarina Wiklund, sound performance

17.03-19 Porkkana Unplugged, Antti Kauppinen, interactive durational fetish study

19–19.30 Räkälicious, performative pop-punk concert

FRIDAY 26 June

11-20 Exhibition and Epiphany Café open

Blumen Fitness, Justyna Koeke, pop-up performances throughout the day

12-18 Vieno Motors, interactive durational performance

13-15 Vieno Motors: Plants and Machines, interactive object performance

15-18 Studio Vilgefortis, Heidi Lunabba, flower beard studio for women and other non-bearded and bearded people, participatory performance

17-18 Dance with/from/for Objects, Beniamino Borghi / TanssiARTesaani, dance performance

18-19.30 Plant Based Stories, Pia Sirén, Mirella Pendolin, Ada Katz and Esko Grundström, concert-format monument composed for the audience’s plant stories

SATURDAY 27 June

11-17 Exhibition open

11-17 Pre- and post-performance installations in the gallery, a space for rest

12- Helsinki Pride 2026 Parade. Departure from Senate Square. Additional information and registration details can be found here.

SUNDAY 28 June

11-17 Exhibition and Epiphany Café open

Blumen Fitness, Justyna Koeke, pop-up performances throughout the day

12-17 Vieno Motors interactive durational performance

12-17 Bunny Express, Komuki Ando, durational performance

13-15 Vieno Motors: Plants and Machines, interactive object performance

15-16 Birch Party, Islaja, Simo Vassinen and Paula Karvonen / Biotheatre
Bring a yoga mat or other soft mat, if possible.

The Vieno Motors performances feature a rotating team of artists. In the interactive performances, audiences may choose either an active participatory role or the role of observer. Durational performances may be experienced briefly or followed for their full duration. Any programme updates will be announced on the Forum Box website.

Supported by: Svenska kulturfonden, Taike, FloweRescue, Peikonkello, Kyrö Distillery, Camu, Slow Flower Loviisa

Forum Box is Helsinki Pride Community Partner.