Art, architecture and nature – three elements that interact in harmony throughout the museum. Art collectors Marie-Louise and Gunnar Didrichsen founded the museum in 1965 as an extension to their private home. Situated by the sea on Kuusisaari island in western Helsinki and surrounded by a sculpture park, it has become one of the most beloved art museums in Finland. This podcast dives into the story of the museum, it’s impressive collection and architecture.
5 Henry Moore and the Archer
Henry Moore, the master of monumental abstract sculpture, is regarded as one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century. In this episode you will hear a special story behind one of Moore’s most unique pieces, The Archer, and how it ended up on permanent display at the Didrichsen Art Museum.
The museum holds the largest Henry Moore collection in continental Europe. Several Didrichsen family members were interviewed for this episode to discover how the collection came about and what the relationship between Moore and the Didrichsen’s was.
Language: English
6/9/2023 • 23 minutes
4 Composing a sculpture - Eila Hiltunen and the Sibelius Monument
Hear the story of the remarkable career of sculptor Eila Hiltunen and the creation of her magnum opus, the Sibelius Monument. What today is widely considered one of the most popular attractions in Helsinki, by locals as well as tourists, was once opposed to by the public. This episode features behind the scenes anecdotes from Eila Hiltunen’s son Markku Pietinen and stories and insights about the friendship between Eila Hiltunen and the Didrichsen Art Museum founders, as told by Didrichsen family members.
Eila Hiltunen’s 100 year jubilee exhibition takes place at the Didrichsen Art Museum from September 2022 to January 2023.
Credits:
Photo: Otso Pietinen
Music:
Jean Sibelius
Finlandia, Op. 26 No. 7
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
Leif Segerstam, Conductor
(p) 1994 Ondine ODE 824-2
(c) Breitkopf & Härtel
9/9/2022 • 33 minutes, 22 seconds
3 To the moon and back - a conversation with Björn Weckström
Multitalented artist, sculptor and jewellery designer Björn Weckström’s artistic career spans over 7 decades. This episode “To the moon and back” opens up Weckström’s fascinating creative world. He talks about the source of inspiration for his sculptures deriving from ancient mythology connecting it to today’s world in an intriguing way. You’ll also get to find out how his jewellery ended up in a Star Wars movie and why he designed his own furniture. The conversation ranges from topics to the moon and back and everything in between.
