The Finnish Cultural Institute in New York | FCINY

Finnish designer Hanna Anonen (@hannaanonen ) takes over 𝗡𝗬𝗖𝘅𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 with her new 𝗕𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 — Objects that travel with you — modular forms for movement and everyday change. You can experience the collection across multiple exhibitions during NYCxDesign Week: — 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 | May 9–14 | 5-37 46th Avenue, Long Island City @tangent.nyc @palebluemag — 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 | May 14–26 | Allen St. Gallery, Lower East Side @slowconstruct @allenstreetgallery @leroystreetstudio — 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 | May 15–24 | 52 Walker Street, Tribeca @americandesignclub — 𝗟𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗡𝗬𝗖, 𝗨𝗽 𝗜𝗻 𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗸𝗲 | May 15–17 | 567 Woodward, Ridgewood @lichennyc — 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲–𝗢𝘂𝘁 | May 18–22 | 45 Main Street, Dumbo @kinandcompany — 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 | May 19 | Bon Studio NYC, Williamsburg @bonstudionyc Photos by Janne Tuunanen, @jannetuunanenstudio

The spring has brought Finnish artist Aapo Nikkanen (@aaponewborn ) to New York as our Artist-in-Residence at Pioneer Works (@pioneerworks ). Aapo Nikkanen is an artist, researcher, and hypnotherapist. His current work focuses on hypnotic performances and photography. In his performances, the guests visit speculative realities through hypnosis. The works address how contemporary systems increasingly operate at the level of cognition, shaping how we interpret, trust, and respond to the world — often bypassing critical reflection. In his photographic practice, subjects are captured while in a hypnotic trance. Rather than posing for the camera, they inhabit imagined states, producing images that allow temporarty detachement from from the social roles and masks normally shaping one’s behaviour. The work of Nikkanen has been shown internationally for the past 10 years. His work has exhibited in numerous international institutions, including at Palais de Tokyo and Fondation Ricard (Paris), New Performance Turku Biennale, International Film Festival Rotterdam, La Casa Encendida (Madrid), The Living Art Museum (Reykjavík), and de Appel (Amsterdam). From April to June 2026, Aapo will be in residency at @pioneerworks in New York, developing new work and explorations along the way. Welcome to NYC Aapo! @aaponewborn

FCINY went to check out the @newmuseum after it reopened following renovations. Amongst many other cool pieces, we got to see Finnish artist Jenna Sutela’s work there. 10/10, recommend! 🤩

The 𝘍𝘊𝘐𝘕𝘠 𝘖𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 essay of the month is now live! In this essay, @mimosa.tast asks a simple question: what is up with opera? From Rosaliá's operatic pop experiment to Timothée Chalamet’s viral critique, opera has re-entered the cultural conversation. In April, 𝘐𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, the final opera by Finnish Kaija Saariaho, made its debut at the Metropolitan Opera. Set between a wedding and a school shooting tragedy in Helsinki, it opens the dialogue of what art can and should do in a world already overwhelmed by real violence. “Innocence is not a performance you enjoy. It is a performance you do not leave the same.” Read the full essay on our website, link in bio →

Out of Silence, a sound installation by @hans.rosenstrom , curated by @alina.grsh is now open at @4freedomspark on Roosevelt Island through June 21. Inspired by the music of Arvo Pärt and the architecture of Louis Kahn, the piece was created in collaboration with the vocal ensemble @voxclamantis.ee . Out of Silence is generously supported by the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation; the Ministry of Culture of Estonia; Saastamoinen Foundation; The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland; the Finnish Cultural Institute in New York (FCINY); and the Consulate General of Finland in New York.

Hey People!!! Happy Spring 🌷! It’s now time to drop this promo video I’ve just edited. I’m most proud of this work and the people were enjoying it! It is of my previous performance of my largest and best work, “The Picnic: Harvest of the Soft Sweet Sound” which debuted in SHARED GROUNDS June 28 - August 10, 2025 Hunter’s Point South Park (along Center Blvd, south of 54th Avenue) Long Island City, NY. Shared Grounds is curated by ELINA SUOYRJÖ (FCINY) and MEGHANA KARNIK (Flux Factory), with curatorial assistance by ROWENA HURME. It is co-presented by FLUX FACTORY @flux_factory and FINNISH CULTURAL @thefciny INSTITUTE IN NEW YORK. In this performance I was accompanied by Leopoldo Bloom, Justin Sterling, Fitzmore Prince Codogan, Vidho Lorville, Trasonia Abbott, Hsiao-Chu (Julia) Hsia, Gabriella Bornstein, Ronit Levin Delgado, Anna Ting Möller, and Rose Malenfant. Thank you, and please share!!!! 💜Jodie ,the people’s artist. Video footage courtesy Uwa Iduozee, TFCINY and @tushevsaerials 😘🙏🏽🍉🍇🍒🍍🍌🧺🥰🌷✨🌈 🗳️ 👩🏽‍🎨#jodielynkeechow #thepicnic #thepicnicharvestofthesoftsweetsound

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 to apply to our 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗬 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳! 🍎✨ We are inviting Finnish or Finland-based visual artists, fashion designers, and architects to submit their applications for the FCINY Residency Programs in New York for 2027. The focus of the residency programs lies in networking and dialogue, developing long-term projects and partnerships, individual artistic research, and creative work. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟲, 𝗮𝘁 𝟮𝟯:𝟱𝟵 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 (𝟰:𝟱𝟵 𝗽𝗺 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲) (!!!) Read more about this opportunity on our website, link in bio! #FCINY #residencyprogram #visualarts #architecture #design

We’re proud to present Out of Silence, a sound installation by Hans Rosenström (@hans.rosenstrom ), curated by Alina Girshovich (@alina.grsh ), now open at Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park on Roosevelt Island through June 21. Inspired by the music of Arvo Pärt and the architecture of Louis Kahn, the installation was created in partnership with the vocal ensemble Vox Clamantis (@voxclamantis.ee ). Speaking to the power of the human voice and the importance of silence and presence, the work unfolds as a spatial journey through the park, encouraging visitors to move, listen, and connect. Out of Silence is generously supported by the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation; the Ministry of Culture of Estonia; Saastamoinen Foundation; The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland; the Finnish Cultural Institute in New York (FCINY); and the Consulate General of Finland in New York. The opening reception on April 28 was sponsored by @longdrink , @marimekko and @kyrodistillery . Photos 1-7 by Eleri Ever, 8-9 by Annu Kumpulainen @saastamoinenfoundation @kulturfonden @estonian_culture_abroad @thefciny @finlandnewyork @helsinkicontemporary

The second episode of Withstanding Podcast season 5 is now out also on our Youtube as a video! Artists iida jonsson and ssi saarinen sat down with Dr. Randall Sell to discuss the history of LGBTQIA+ research, the so-called underworld of New York and the life of Jennie June, one of the first transgender people to have published an autobiographical text. See and listen to the full episode on our Youtube channel, link in bio!

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗬 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗝𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 The architecture residency, in collaboration with hosted by The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture at Cooper Union invites experienced architects to engage in research, publications, and academic life while building networks in New York and the school’s community. Mersiha Veledar, Acting Associate Dean, The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture of The Cooper Union Meri Louekari, Chief of Strategy, (FCINY Board), @louekarimeri Klaudia Ofwona Draber, Director of Programs (FCINY), @klaudiadraber Photo credits: Klaudia Ofwona Draber by Hidemi Takagi (@hidemi_takagi )

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗬 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗝𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 For the first time ever, FCINY invites Fashion and Textile Designers to participate in our residency program. The residency is tailored for a designer seeking time for research and learning, community-building, and developing networks in New York. The mentor for the residency program, Ervin Latimer, Fashion Designer and Professor of Practice at Aalto University, will support the program through mentorship calls before, during, and after the residency period. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Archive Editor at Vogue, @the_lbp Ervin Latimer, Fashion Designer and Professor of Practice at Aalto University, FCINY Board Member, @lervern Klaudia Ofwona Draber, Director of Programs (FCINY), @klaudiadraber Photo credits: Klaudia Ofwona Draber by Hidemi Takagi (@hidemi_takagi )

The second episode of Withstanding Podcast season 5 is now out! Artists iida jonsson and ssi saarinen sat down with Dr. Randall Sell to discuss the history of LGBTQIA+ research, the so-called underworld of New York and the life of Jennie June, the one of the first transgender people to have published an autobiographical text. “In 1918, a set of peculiar books began to circulate quietly through the mail. They were addressed not to the general public, but to doctors, lawyers, sexologists and psychologists. The author used several names: Ralph Werther, Earl Lind and Jennie June.” Listen to the full episode from the link in our bio! 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 continues to bring together art professionals from both sides of the Atlantic to share and speculate, care and criticize, and to dream of more just and sustainable conditions for artists and art practitioners at large.