Art is planned to be included in the architecture of five new metro stations of the West Metro. Artwork will be created as a result of cooperation between architects and artists. The various forms of art will increase the comfort and identity of stations.
Art in various forms will be included in the five stations on the Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section of the West Metro. Jaakko Niemelä is the Art Coordinator in the project. His task is to ensure that the art project progresses within the agreed schedule and that there is smooth cooperation between the various parties. Art selections are made by a work group that consists of representatives from the Espoo Museum of Modern Art, the Cultural Unit of the City of Espoo, West Metro, and station architects and the principal architectural designer.
Within the art project, architecture will determine the main themes at stations. The aim is to have art in various forms at stations; light, sound, paintings and sculpture. Artwork must also blend into the architecture of a station and be easily accessible for maintenance.
“Architects and the principal designers of stations are essential in the implementation and artists must listen to them carefully. On the one hand, specified themes for stations restrict implementation but on the other hand, it will also be easier for artists to work on a specified set of themes,” Niemelä states.
Art will increase comfort at stations but it also serves the overall design of stations – it will make navigation easier: when a passenger sees a unique piece of art from the train window and knows which station they are at with the help of the artwork.
Currently, the focus is on finding suitable art forms and themes for each station as well as locations for the artwork. “Our goal is to create an entity through cooperation so that architecture and art support each other or form interesting contrasts,” says Niemelä.
Selected artwork and artists will be published in the early part of 2019.
Further information:
Artist, West Metro project Art Coordinator Jaakko Niemelä, tel. +358 (0)50 598 4201, jaakko.niemela(at)nic.fi
Länsimetro Oy, Communications Director, Satu Linkola, tel. +358 (0)46 877 3392, satu.linkola(at)lansimetro.fi