HELSINKI.- Art has the power to investigate society and present alternative interpretations of our shared world. Works featured in ARS22 explore the everyday lives and dreams of individuals and communities. They raise questions about our relationship with the world, with nature and history, spirituality and technology.

The exhibition offers places for encounters and interaction. It also reminds us that individuality is ultimately always founded on the common conditions of life. The stories told by the artworks are entertaining while creating their own realities. They offer us an opportunity to think and see differently but also point out a way forward.

ARS22 is the tenth instalment in the series of major international contemporary art exhibitions originally launched in 1961. Over the decades, the ARS exhibitions have presented the public with the latest trends in contemporary art.

ARS22 presents some of the most compelling artists and art of the day. Extending to all floors of the Kiasma building, the exhibition is a comprehensive view of the latest trends in international contemporary art. It also includes new artworks commissioned specifically for ARS22.

Visitors also comes across live art, as performative works are presented not only in Kiasma Theatre but also in the exhibition galleries.

ARS22 is the first in the series to feature key works from the past decades, starting with the 1960s. They provide historical background to topical themes and elucidate the history of the ARS exhibitions. Some of the featured iconic works come from Kiasma’s own collections; others are on loan from Finnish and international collections.

The exhibition culminates in autumn 2022 with the Lithuanian participatory opera Sun and Sea, which will be performed at the Merikaapelihalli venue in the Cable Factory. The work was awarded the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale in 2019. Its performance at the ARS22 exhibition is presented in collaboration with the Helsinki Festival.