Vantaa Art Museum Artsi's In the Mirror the Shadows of Time Disappear exhibition explores the interfaces between fantasy and contemporary art

The artists in the exhibition share an interest in inner realities, symbolism, and the mysticism of everyday life. Their works move between reality and fantasy, the material and the spiritual, the mundane and the mythical—inviting viewers to reflect on the possibilities of experience and the fundamental questions of existence. 

The exhibition has been curated in collaboration with visual artist Timo Vaittinen. Vaittinen is a Helsinki-based visual artist whose works have been exhibited extensively in Finland and internationally. He is also one of the founders of the SIC Gallery. 

The exhibition presents artworks by seven artists throughout its duration. Four of these artists have been invited to participate with their new works: Mariam Falaileh, Eetu Sihvonen, Joel Slotte and Timo Vaittinen. They will be joined by works by the Vantaa Art Museum's collection artists Pentti Kaskipuro, Hanna Nieminen and Kaija Poijula. 

Mariam Falaileh (b. 1990–) works especially with ceramics, exploring the interaction between unconscious and external reality. In her works, fantasy serves as a tool for examining alternative realities, cultural identity and social phenomena.   

Pentti Kaskipuro (1930–2010) was a graphic artist who, at the beginning of his career, depicted cities, people and everyday objects. The unhurried timelessness, silence and contrast of light and shadow create an atmosphere in the works, which makes landscapes and familiar objects enigmatic and can take on new meanings. Kaskipuro's works highlight how close everyday life can be to fantasy. 

Hanna Nieminen (b. 1996–) makes paintings, ceramics and handicrafts that focus on fantasy themes, dreams and emotions. The worlds and creatures she creates stem from personal experience and imagination. The elements of the works blend seamlessly together to form a rich visual narrative. 

Kaija Poijula (b. 1963–) uses found and obtained material as materials for her works, which she works on or uses as such. The works combine poetry and contemplative expression. Fantasy manifests itself in the works as dreamlike and fairytale-like ghostly moods, in which the familiar meets the inexplicable. 

Eetu Sihvonen (b. 1994–) combines digital manufacturing methods and craftsmanship with storytelling and the world of role-playing games. In his works, Sihvonen deals with how fantasy and escapism can serve as tools for redesigning reality. Fantasy is a way for the artist to examine his own work and interesting themes through distance and sensitivity. 

Joel Slotte (b. 1987-) makes detailed oil paintings and drawings in which reality takes on imaginary and symbolic dimensions. The characters in the works appear in situations that are simultaneously familiar and strange, mundane and magical. For Slotte, fantasy is a way of looking at the world and a filter through which everyday reality takes on new meanings.  

Timo Vaittinen (b. 1976–) makes canvas works, installations, paintings and video works. In his works, Vaittinen combines fantasy narratives from different eras to create a visual world that reflects both the reality of the present and possible utopias and dystopias. For him, fantasy is a way of dealing with contemporary phenomena. 

As part of In the Mirror the Shadows of Time Disappear exhibition, there is a work called Pyyntö (Request) designed by Maiju Tarpila and Usva Inei, which is a live role-playing game, or larp. During the game, the exhibition merges into the world of magical creatures, and the participants are invited to join in the shared storytelling led by the game's director. Artsi's gaming events will be held on Friday 5.12.2025 and 12.12.2025.  

Artsi invites all city residents to celebrate the opening of the exhibition on Tuesday, 30 September 2025 from 5 pm to 7 pm. In addition, the Artsi exhibition includes events such as Children's Saturday 22.11.2025, guided tours, senior mornings and Croquis drawing evenings. See more detailed updated program information: https://www.artsimuseo.com/tapahtumat  (in Finnish).

In the Mirror the Shadows of Time Disappear exhibition is open from Wed 1 Oct until Sun 15 Mar 2026 
Vantaa Art Museum Artsi, Paalutori 3, 01600 Vantaa   
Artsi is open Tue –Wed 11 am –6 pm, Thurs 1 pm – 8 pm, Fri –Sun 11 am – 4pm.  
Admission to the Vantaa Art Museum Artsi is free for everyone.  

See also  
Exhibition In the Mirror the Shadows of Time Disappear: https://www.artsimuseo.com/eng/inthemirrortheshadowsoftimedisappear  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artsimuseo/  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artsimuseo  

Vantaa Art Museum Artsi  
Myyrmäki house, Paalutori 3, 01600 Vantaa   
email: artsi@vantaa.fi / tel. + 358 43 826 8990