Turku contemporary art museum reopens after 16 million euro overhaul

WAM, Turku’s contemporary art museum, will reopen in October after a 16 million euro renovation that has modernised its protected 1960s building while preserving its original architectural character, Yle reports.

The museum, previously known as the Wäinö Aaltonen Museum, will use the shorter name WAM after the renovation.

The building’s bright white walls are still empty, drawing attention to details dating back to the 1960s. Museum director Satu Pajarre said the original spirit of the building had been restored.

“The building is once again an active participant,” Pajarre said. It was originally designed to display the work of artist Wäinö Aaltonen alongside contemporary art.

Original floor colour found in a cleaning cupboard

Preserving and restoring original features was a central part of the renovation, which was closely supervised by Finland’s Heritage Agency. The project’s budget and schedule have remained on plan.

One important discovery was the building’s original petrol blue floor colour. The shade had survived for decades on the floor of a cleaning cupboard. A colour chart was used to identify the correct tone, which is now being used in the museum shop and cafe.

Other elements typical of the 1960s have also been restored. The original wooden ceiling grilles in the upstairs exhibition rooms were removed, refurbished and reinstalled. The spherical light fixtures and a large aquarium have returned to their former places. The aquarium will once again be filled with fish.

Pajarre said the aquarium had originally been intended to attract young people to the museum in line with the ideas of the 1960s.

New space for media art

The renovation has created 450 square metres of new exhibition space in the lower floor, which had long been used for storage. The dark space is suited to media art.

The reopening exhibition will feature works by Canadian media artist Sabrina Ratté, shown in Finland for the first time. The exhibition will include large-scale video works, image prints and interactive elements.

The renovation also included new electrical systems, exhibition walls and acoustic surfaces to meet the technical requirements of contemporary art. Technology has been concealed in the new extension, while the protected older section retains many of its original features.

Restoration work included placing the stones in the base of the fountain as closely as possible to their previous positions. Accessibility has also been improved.

Aaltonen relief returns to public view

Another significant discovery was a relief titled “Building Turku”, made by Wäinö Aaltonen in 1914 while he was a student. Merchant councillor Axel Wiklund originally commissioned the work.

The relief remained on the wall of a hardware shop until 1961, when it was dismantled and transferred to the Wäinö Aaltonen Museum’s ownership. The monumental work was later hidden behind a wall and has now been moved to a more prominent location for visitors to see.

The museum’s empty rooms will soon be filled with art. Its exhibition plans already extend to 2030.