PLAY

Inspired by Cultural Climate Change

Fotografiska Tallinn brings a photo exhibition to Finland for the first time. Entitled PLAY, the group exhibition is part of the European Capital of Culture programme and opens at the Pekuri shopping mall on 14 January.

The brand new exhibition is inspired by the theme of Cultural Climate Change, invites us to see beyond the ordinary, to connect in deeper ways, and to envision a future where creativity and community are at the forefront.

Through a multidisciplinary lens of 16 international artists, the exhibition explores play as both a source of joy and a distraction, highlighting moments of delight, resilience, rebellion and connection. Together, the works form a visual journey into play as a deeply human form of expression and a non-verbal language.

The exhibition is curated by Fotografiska Tallinn brand director Jorven Viilik.

The artists featured in the group exhibition are Martin Parr, Cristina de Middel, Susan Meiselas, Jouko Lehtola, Bruce Davidson, Roger Ballen, Nina Katchadourian, Sage Sohier, Trent Parke, Christopher Herwig, Karolina Wojtas, Niccolo Rastrelli, Joosep Kivimäe, Mathias Väärsi, Pelle Cass and Deanna Dikeman. Sound design for the exhibition has been composed by musician Erki Pärnoja.

PLAY aims to reconnect us with unplanned play and open up a space where viewers can explore whether or how play has survived in their lives. It encourages visitors to imagine how play can come back into their lives in unexpected ways.

Tickets, starting at €12, will be available from Lippu.fi sales channels from 1 December and from the venue from 14 January onwards.

The exhibition space and the Oulu2026 entrance hall are designed by PAVE Architects. Collaboration partners include Genelec, Saas Instruments and IP Heikkilä. The exhibition is co-produced between Fotografiska Tallinn and the Oulu Culture Foundation, the organisation in charge of the Oulu2026 project.

Fotografiska is the contemporary museum of photography, art & culture, founded in Stockholm in 2010. Beside Stockholm  Fotografiska has locations in Tallinn, Berlin and Shanghai. Fotografiska Tallinn opened in 2019, being the first one outside of Stockholm. Fotografiska creates dynamic and unique exhibitions to inspire new perspectives and spark meaningful conversations through photography and contemporary art.