Messages to the future: Timo Metsäjoki’s exhibition connects generations
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At Rauma Museum’s Marela, you can explore an exhibition created through the means of community art by artist Timo Metsäjoki, starting on October 31, 2024. The exhibition, titled Messages to Future Generations, will be on display until April 16, 2025. The exhibition is made possible by the Niilo Helander Foundation.
During the summer of 2024, Metsäjoki gathered messages from both ordinary and well-known individuals. Among those who left messages are Katri Helena, Tony Kakko, Elastinen, and Maarit Hurmerinta. These messages are intended for 30 years into the future, the year 2054.
– In the exhibition, we ask, what message would you want to leave for future generations? The exhibition consists of hundreds of postcards written by people and video greetings. It serves as a counterbalance to the polarized discussions often focused on problems and disagreements. The future belongs to all of us, says Timo Metsäjoki.
The messages will be on display during the exhibition at Marela, after which they will be sealed in a time capsule. The capsule is set to be opened in 30 years. Other memories from the present moment, such as a newspaper from the day, will also be preserved in the capsule. The museum will collect suggestions from exhibition visitors for the contents of the capsule.
– Marela is an extremely fitting place for the exhibition, as history, the present, and the future meet there in a tangible way. It will be fascinating to see if the hopes expressed in the messages come true when the capsule is opened, Metsäjoki adds.
Extreme Metal and Religious Messages
During the discussions and encounters throughout the project, Metsäjoki has crossed a wide range of topics depending on the company. However, everyone shares a vision of a better future, in their own way.
– Virpi Kätkä, singer from CatCat, highlighted the importance of religion in her message, while Dani Filth from the British extreme metal band Cradle of Filth approached the subject from a slightly different angle. You can explore the content of Filth’s message at the exhibition, Metsäjoki hints.
Throughout the project, Metsäjoki has collected messages aimed at the future at various events, such as Santa Open Air in Rovaniemi, Porispere, Karmarock, Eurajoki Market, Blue Sea Film Festival, and during Pori Pride. Students from Eurajoki Secondary School have also contributed to the exhibition.
Visitors to the exhibition can also leave their own message for the future, becoming part of the exhibition as co-creators.
– This is a rewarding project, as it evolves with each visitor leaving their ‘mark’ as part of the collective whole, Metsäjoki explains.
