National Museum Press Service
The Emerging World - Map treasures from the A. E. Nordenskiöld CollectionThe National Museum of Finland 26 April 2013 - 27 October 2013 |
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 World map from the Italian cosmographer and cartographer Giuseppe Rosaccio's (1530 - ca. 1620) small-sized atlas Il mondo e sve parti cioe Evropa, Affrica, Asia, et America, published in Florence in 1595.
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The exhibition depicts the emergence of the geographical world image and the transfer of accumulated knowledge to maps. The maps in the Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld Collection help tell this magnificent story, guiding the exhibition visitor through the ways in which the world has been perceived over the centuries. The adventure reveals how the shape and size of the earth was already understood in Antiquity, and how the thirst for knowledge, the glitter of gold, and spices lured Europeans to undertake ambitious exploratory expeditions in search of power and riches. In historical times maps were not only an image of the geographical environment; they were also used to teach Christian redemption and the path to Heaven. From ancient times maps have been used to clarify land ownership, organise taxation, and plan military troop deployments. Maps have been used to glorify nations' rulers. Elements of mythology and fantasy also replaced factual information on maps. Containing materials from the 1400s to the early 1900s, the National Library of Finland's A. E. Nordenskiöld Collection is one of the most valuable collections of old maps in the world. There are almost 24,000 maps - atlases, map collections, and map sheets - printed before the year 1800. The accumulation of the collection began when the naturalist and explorer of the northern regions Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld (1832-1901) began to collect old maps and travel accounts in preparation for demanding research expeditions to the Arctic Ocean. During the time he made ten expeditions, and particularly afterwards, Nordenskiöld became increasingly fascinated with the history of mapmaking, still an almost completely unstudied field in the late 1800s. His thorough and systematic research methods made him a pioneer in the history of cartography. After Nordenskiöld's death in 1901, the unique collection was acquired for Finland. The significance of the collection is borne out by the fact that when UNESCO established Memory of the World Register to preserve and protect the world's documentary heritage, the A. E. Nordenskiöld Collection was among the first sites chosen for the list in 1997. The first part of the exhibition presents the collection and the great story of the world's emerging cartographic image. The second part depicts A. E. Nordenskiöld's multi-phased life and achievements in many scientific disciplines, as well as the colourful times in which he lived. Nordenskiöld was born, attended school, studied, and began his eventually distinguished researcher career in Finland. Although he was forced to leave his home country owing to his outspoken political opinions, new opportunities soon arose in Sweden, where he became one of his era's most renowned scientists. Nordenskiöld also influenced many aspects of societal life internationally as well as in Sweden. The exhibition has been organised in co-operation with the National Library of Finland. Content design and script: Chief Intendant Jouni Kuurne, Professor Tapio Markkanen, MA Leena Miekkavaara and MA Anna-Maija Pietilä-Ventelä. The materials are drawn from the collections of the National Library of Finland and the National Museum of Finland. The overall picture is augmented with portions of the exhibition loaned from the John Nurminen Foundation, the University of Helsinki's Geological Museum, the Museum of Technology, and the Heureka Science Center. Museum visitors have a chance to browse exhibition texts with their own mobile device, and an opportunity to return to the texts later on for example from home. Browse Exhibition texts. The exhibition is associated with a diverse range of educational and peripheral programmes. The first event day will be arranged on Sat 27 April 2013. A. E. Nordenskiöld's childhood home Alikartano Manor (Frugård) in Mäntsälä is now a museum open to the public during the summer 1 June-31 August, Wed-Sun 11-17 (closed 21-22 June). The 25th International Conference on the History of Cartography will be held in Helsinki 30 June - 5 July 2013. In connection with the exhibition, a book The Emerging World - Map Treasures from the A. E. Nordenskiöld Collection. written by Tapio Markkanen, Leena Miekkavaara, and Anna-Maija Pietilä-Ventelä describes the expansion of the geographical world image, A. E. Nordenskiöld's life, and his unique collection. The lavishly illustrated trilingual (Finnish, Swedish, English) work published by the Finnish Literature Society SKS will be available at the National Museum's museum shop. More information of the book: Maija Hakala, SKS Kirjat, tel. + 358 (0)201 131 214, maija.hakala(at)finlit.fi The exhibition will be mounted at the National Museum of Finland 26 April - 27 October 2013. Images related to the press releaseFurther information: Curator Satu Frondelius, National Museum of Finland Tel. + 358 (0)40 128 6390, satu.frondelius(at)nba.fi Chief Intendent Jouni Kuurne, National Museum of Finland Tel. + 358 (0)40 128 6381, jouni.kuurne(at)nba.fi Cultural Coordinator Inkeri Pitkäranta, National Library of Finland Tel. + 358 (0)9 191 22738, + 358 (0)50 302 7238, inkeri.pitkaranta(at)helsinki.fi The National Museum of Finland, Mannerheimintie 34, Helsinki. Open: Tue-Sun 11 a.m - 6 p.m., Closed Mon. Museum also closed 21.-23.6.2013. Entry fees: 8 / 6 e, free under 18 years old. Ticket Office: tel. +358 (0)40 128 6469, Tue-Sun 11 a.m - 6 p.m. |
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Press Release 25 April 2012 |
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Suomi Finland 1900New Permanent Exhibition of the 20th century Finland and Finns
At The National Museum of Finland from 26.4.2012 - |
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 Jukebox AMI JHJ 200 from 1958. Photo: Markku Haverinen, National Board of Antiquities. Helsinki Olympic Games programmes from 1952. Photo: Markku Haverinen, National Board of Antiquities. |
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| Themes of the new 20th century exhibition of Finland and Finns are daily life, cuisine, traffic, communication, as well as developments in politics and state. In what type of circumstances did Finns from different parts of Finland live and how was their daily life? The 20th century was a time of great upheaval and fast economic and technological development. After Finland became independent on 6 December 1917, the country went through several wars and suffered great losses, but Finland and the Finns always recovered. In less than one hundred years, the country transformed from a poor, agrarian part of the Russian empire into an independent, wealthy Western industrial and welfare state. What kind of memories does the 20th century bring to your mind? Every one of us has our own images and memories from the last century. We hope that this exhibition brings back memories and evokes feelings, and that it will also help people to understand Finland as it is today. In this exhibition at the National Museum of Finland, in addition to the objects and photographs you can experience the mood on a 1960s car drive in a VW Beetle from 1966, listen to music, watch films and find more information about the 20th century on the new multi-touch tables. Press photos For more information about the exhibition, please contact: Exhibition Curator Ismo Malinen, tel. + 358 (0)40 128 6382, ismo.malinen(at)nba.fi Curator Risto Hakomäki, tel. + 358 (0)40 128 6385, risto.hakomaki(at)nba.fi Curator Satu Frondelius, tel. + 358 (0)40 128 6390, satu.frondelius(at)nba.fi In cooperation:
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