Blanca De La Torre And Kati Kivinen Appointed Head Curators Of Helsinki Biennial 2025
Helsinki Biennial 2025: The Vision for Art and Sustainability
Helsinki Biennial is delighted to announce the appointment of Blanca de la Torre and Kati Kivinen as the head curators for its highly anticipated third edition in the summer of 2025. Their selection underscores the biennial’s steadfast commitment to promoting thought-provoking international contemporary art while fostering connections between Finnish and global artists. Moreover, Helsinki Biennial remains firmly dedicated to the principles of responsible exhibition-making.
Blanca de la Torre: A Curatorial Innovator
Blanca de la Torre is a distinguished curator, art historian, and researcher known for her pioneering work at the crossroads of visual arts, political ecology, ecofeminism, and sustainable creative practices. Notably, she has made significant contributions by developing sustainability guidelines that minimize the ecological impact of art projects, bridging the gap between theory and practice. De la Torre’s extensive experience includes her role as chief curator of the Cuenca Biennial in Ecuador, and her curatorial engagements span across Europe and Latin America. Her presence augments Helsinki Biennial’s global perspective.
Kati Kivinen (PhD): Bridging Art, Culture, and Sustainability
Kati Kivinen, an accomplished art historian and curator, currently holds the prestigious position of Head of Exhibitions at HAM Helsinki Art Museum. Her curatorial practice revolves around the exploration of contemporary artistic expressions within the broader context of cultural processes, socio-political dynamics, and ecological imperatives. Some of her recent curatorial projects, such as “Coexistence – Human, Animal and Nature in Kiasma’s Collections” (2019) and “Fragile Times” at Galerie im Körnerpark in Berlin (2020), underscore her commitment to engaging audiences with pertinent societal issues through art.
A Joint Commitment to Sustainability
De la Torre and Kivinen, sharing a profound interest in ecological issues, approach sustainability holistically in their curatorial practice. Together, they develop sustainability guidelines that guide exhibition-making from inception to completion. “We both find it exciting to work in the context of Helsinki – a city that has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. We are very much looking forward to making a shared contribution to this,” De la Torre and Kivinen affirm.
A Visionary Leadership Team
Arja Miller, Director of HAM Helsinki Art Museum and Helsinki Biennial, expressed her enthusiasm about the appointment, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Blanca de la Torre and Kati Kivinen as head curators of Helsinki Biennial’s third edition. Their curatorial practice aligns seamlessly with HAM’s future-oriented vision. We aim to create a platform for art that welcomes everyone to engage with the transformative potential of art and encourages responsible action towards sustainable exhibition-making. Helsinki Biennial is both internationally ambitious and locally meaningful, presenting art in dialogue with the captivating nature of Helsinki’s archipelago.”
