Parliament Building Eduskuntatalo ๐ซ๐ฎ
FINLAND CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
The Finns achieved independence on December 6, 1917. The history of the parliament building (Finnish: Eduskuntatalo, Swedish: Riksdagshuset) in Helsinki parallels our nation's journey as Finland became an independent Democratic Republic. I was hired by the Finnish parliament to photograph the interiors of the newly renovated parliament building. It was completed just in time for the opening of the autumn term of the Parliament in September of 2017. The meticulous and complete renovation and Finland's centennial gave me a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of this special year with my photography. The renovation started in 2015 and the last pieces of reupholstered furniture just came in while I was getting ready to photograph the hall of state (valtiosali).
The plenary chamber | View from the gallery - The Parliament Building, Helsinki, Finland | September 2017
Pyรถreรค tรคysistuntosali | nรคkymรค parvelta - Eduskuntatalo | Syyskuu 2017
The architectural competition which was held in 1924 was won by the firm of BorgโSirรฉnโร berg with a proposal called Oratoribus (Latin for "for the speakers"). Architect J. S. Sirรฉn (1889โ1961), was given the task of designing Parliament House. The building was constructed between 1926โ1931 and was completed in March of 1931.
On a personal level, my father Kauko Loikas (1927-2017), was a young soldier fighting for Finland to stay as an independent nation in World War II. So, it is my honor share a small selection of my photographs of this very significant and historical building and urge you to visit when in Helsinki. Architecturally the building is like Finland at the time. Our nation was still seeking validation from the past classical trends and even Egyptian motifs, but at the same time trying to establish itself in its own right.
#SUOMI-100
Work and the Future ( Tyรถ ja Tulevaisuus) series of five gilded plaster sculptures by Wรคinรถ Aaltonen (1894โ 1966)
#eduskuntatalo
Settler (Raivaaja) of Work and the Future series
Five scupltures of Work and the Future series
Future (Tulevaisuus) of Work and the Future sculpture series stands above the seat of the President of the Finnish Parliament.
#finnish #centennial
The yellow ceiling of the plenary chamber is covered with sound absorbing sugarcane panels. The architect J.S. Sirรฉn specified this exotic material and it was imported from the United States in the 1930's. During the renovation some of the panels were replaced with new ones which were found in Australia after a tedious search around the world. You can see the actual panels with tiny holes in them in the detail photo below.
The yellow ceiling of the plenary chamber is covered with sound absorbing sugarcane panels.
The cafeteria with a mirror-like green ceiling and functionalist furniture.
Eduskuntatalon kahvila peilimรคisellรค vihreรคllรค katolla.
A sculpture of the ยซLion of Finland Without Its Crownยป on the wall of the cafeteria by Sculptor Gunnar Finne (1886โ1952)
Ceiling detail in the decorative stair case with marble and stucco lustro surfaces.
The main lobby on the ground level.
The hall of state (valtiosali) with its decorative ceiling and light fixtures.
Hall of State furniture were all reupholstered and restored faithfully to their original design.
The hall of state (valtiosali) door detail.
The hall of state (valtiosali) with its decorative ceiling and light fixtures.
The yellow elevator lobby.
Eduskuntatalon keltainen hissiaula.
#INDEPENDENCE
Government's Meeting Room was designed by Arttu Brummer (1891โ1951). The light fixture design were by J. S. Sirรฉn, the ceiling decorated by Gunnar Finne and the blue carpet design by Eva Brummer (1901โ2007).
#PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographer Vesa Loikas on assignment in the Hall of State in the Parliament building in Helsinki, Finland in September 11th, 2017.
Valokuvaaja Vesa Loikas kuvaamassa eduskuntataloa Helsingissรค syyskuussa 2017.
ABOUT ME
I AM A FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHER BASED IN TURKU, FINLAND.
Photography has always been part of me since I was a teenager. I have always been printing my work, first by traditional film development and dark room process and now by using a digital workflow and a large variety of materials and printing methods.
My prints connect the viewer with the photograph in a subtle but effective way, creating a feeling that lasts.
See my art work for sale in TAIKO.FI the online store for Finnish art
The Dining hall, Parliament Building | Ruokasali - Eduskuntatalo ๐ซ๐ฎ
Decorative elevator doors and interiors.
Ceiling detail in the decorative with marble and stucco lustro stair case
The Speaker's Corridor - Puhemiehen kรคytรคvรค
The plenary chamber | View from the gallery - The Parliament House, Helsinki, Finland | September 2017
Tรคysistuntosalin nรคkymรค parvelta - Eduskuntatalo | Syyskuu 2017
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The opening of the Parking Meter Art exhibition
Sunday, October 20, 2024, at Taiteen Talo, Turku from 1 PM to 4 PM (Factory Building, 5th floor, IKU Studios). WELCOME!