The Vesireitit exhibition

The multidisciplinary exhibition Vesireitit (eng. Waterways) brings together artists who explore human relationships with the landscape of Eastern Finland. The exhibition delves into the mythical, ideological, and emotional dimensions associated with waterways: purity and clarity, the wistful magic of bright summer nights and the constant transformation of life.

The participating artists view the landscape from different perspectives. Some address their personal relationship with the waters of eastern Finland, while others consider political questions of ownership and belonging related to place. The exhibition also reflects on how the landscape has been depicted in different art forms and how these traditions still influence the way we perceive the landscape today.

The featured artists are Teo Ala-Ruona, Liisa-Irmelen Liwata, Anna Mustonen, Anne Naukkarinen, Mikki Noroila, Emilia Pennanen, Sirkku Rosi, and Suvi Tuominen. The exhibition also includes artworks and objects from the collections of the Museums of Lappeenranta.

Vesireitit has been curated by Riikka Thitz and it is produced in collaboration with i dolci and Lappeenranta Art Museum.

The exhibition is supported by the Finnish Heritage Agency and Viipuri-säätiö.

The Vesireitit exhibition process began in 2025 with a series of site-responsive artworks:

💧 String Quartet, an interdisciplinary work by choreographer and visual artist Anne Naukkarinen and composer Leevi Räsänen that premiered in Ruokolahti in August 2025.

💧 Lilluminen, a two-part work consisting of a live performance and a video work by choreographer Anna Mustonen that premiered at ANTI – Contemporary Art Festival in Kuopio in September 2025.

💧 Audio play Etiological Hydro Disruption Report (EHDR) by performance artist Teo Ala-Ruona that premiered at ANTI – Contemporary Art Festival in Kuopio in September 2025.

💧 21.2.–10.5.2026 in Lappeenranta Art Museum

Kristiinankatu 8-10, 53900 Lappeenranta, Finland

Visiting hours Tue–Sun 11:00–17:00