Fortuna – Games in Cultural History and Contemporary Art

The exhibition Fortuna, which explores gaming culture, offers an overview spanning from the history of games to contemporary art.

The exhibition draws on the concept of homo ludens— the playing and gaming human. It offers insight into the cultural-historical dimensions of well-known games such as chess and various board and card games, exploring their backgrounds and temporal layers.

The exhibition presents rare game-related collections and objects from the Vaasa museums, including game tables dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. It also features art historical works that deepen the understanding of their time and the broader context of social change.

Contemporary artworks provide a critical perspective on societal structures and offer an interactive experience that connects art and play. The curatorial focus of the exhibition is on Finnish artists and on the cultural-historical development of games that is geographically connected to Finland.

The participating artists are significant figures in the Finnish game and media art field: Harold Hejazi (b. 1989), Joonas Hyvönen (b.1990), Marita Liulia (b. 1957), Reija Meriläinen (b. 1987), and Maria Nordbäck (b. 1957).

The exhibition is curated by Noora Lehtovuori. The exhibition has received support from the Finnish Heritage Agency and Aktiastiftelsen i Vasa.

Reija Meriläinen. Faint, 2018. Photo: Anders S. Solberg / Galleri CC, 2019.