Open call for portfolios for a work of art on Otkantti square next to the new joint terminal
The Port of Turku and the City of Turku organised together an open call for portfolios to implement a work of art next to the new joint terminal. The call was open from 20 January – 23 February 2025, and it was intended for all professional artists and teams working in Finland.
A permanent work of art is being sought to be placed next to the new terminal, on Otkantti square. The square will be an important traffic node through which up to 3 million people are estimated to travel annually. The idea is to develop Linnanniemi area into the first art district in Turku. A dedicated Art Programme has been drawn up for the area, according to which the works of art for the joint terminal will also be realised. Read more about the Linnanniemi Art Programme.
The work of art will strengthen the identity of Linnanniemi art district
The key themes of the area highlighted by the Art Programme include the maritime aspect, especially the archipelago and the Baltic Sea, internationality, the cultural history of the area, as well as the environment and ecology. The work of art to be placed next to the terminal is hoped to reflect these themes in an inventive and imaginative manner.
The new work of art is expected to provide interaction with the architecture of the terminal and the elements on the Otkantti square, thus strengthening the identity of Linnanniemi as an art district. The work of art will be the first permanent work of art in the art district, and two possible locations have been designated for it on the square.
The total budget of the art project is 150,000 euros, and the project has received an art projects grant from the Arts Promotion Centre Finland.
The artist will be selected by the end of March. The work of art will be published in connection with the introduction of the new terminal in early 2027.
Text: Heli Kaijansalo
Conceptual drawing: PES Architects
