Underground museum of modern art
Giant portholes growing out of the ground? The Amos Rex Museum of Modern Art is one of the most spectacular new buildings in Helsinki.
History of the museum
In 1913, newspaper publisher Amos Anderson commissioned a building from architect Wäinö Palmqvist to house his office and apartment. After his death, the building was turned into a museum, which was opened to the public in 1965. However, the museum became too small and in 2014 it was decided to move the art collection of the Amos Anderson Art Museum to a new building. This was granted a year later and construction began in 2016. The name is also a reminder of Amos Anderson and the famous Rex cinema, which is located nearby. With its new, modern design, the building attracted around 270,000 visitors for the first exhibition.
The Collection
The oldest works in the exhibition come from the collection of Anderson, who was a patron of the arts in addition to being a journalist. In total, the collection includes about 6000 works, the majority of which date from the 20th century and include the collection of the Finnish architect and art critic Sigurd Frosterus.
In addition to graphic works, the museum also houses plastic art.
New acquisitions amount to works classified as Finnish modernism.
Three exhibitions are held at the Amos Rex each year. As before, these focus on contemporary art and works from the 20th century. New technologies are also on display and, on occasion, provide an opportunity for interactive experiences. Tours in various languages (including English and German) are also offered for the exhibitions.
Part of the museum is also a small store and the square above the museum offers cafes and restaurants. The Lasipalatsi restaurant should be mentioned as particularly elegant.
