‘Arcana Borealis’ Summons the Power of Spirituality and Artist Communities

In 1906, Hilma af Klint was residing in Stockholm, where she maintained her studio. Af Klint, who was fascinated by Christian esotericism, channeled her mystical experiences into a series of otherworldly paintings. Art historians recognize these works as the earliest known abstract pieces in art history, a significant shift in 20th-century art that was previously attributed to Wassily Kandinsky around 1910.

Af Klint's paintings were not merely artworks to her; she believed they were a result of spiritual channeling. This period of artistic creation came during a time of significant scientific advancements. Nikola Tesla had recently developed the alternating current (AC) electricity system and produced the first radio transmissions, while in 1905, Albert Einstein published his groundbreaking theory of relativity.

The Atrium Art Museum, part of the Finnish National Gallery, is set to showcase this groundbreaking exhibition titled "Arcana Borealis" - Northern Women and Esotericism. The exhibition delves into the history of modern art through the lens of women artists who worked at the intersection of spirituality and esotericism. It features over 200 works by 50 artists, challenging traditional narratives of art history that often prioritize the idea of the solitary artistic genius.

Instead, the exhibition emphasizes the role of collaboration and spiritual communities in shaping artists' practices.

Hilma af Klint and Anna Cassel were part of a group known as 'The Five,' a collective of Stockholm-based women who explored spiritual realms through seances and meditation. The exhibition also includes a performance by Outi Pieski called "Guhte gullá / Here to Hear." Pieski collaborated with dancers and choreographers Biret and Gáddjá Haarla Pieski, incorporating elements of Sámi heritage and traditional garments into her work.

The performance addresses the historical trauma and ongoing discrimination faced by the Sámi, an Indigenous people primarily residing in northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The exhibition takes its title from the Latin words "arcana" (hidden knowledge) and "borealis" (the north), exploring how artists across Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Sápmi turned to esotericism, alternative cosmologies, meditation, and mediumistic practices to grapple with questions of existence, creativity, and belonging. "Arcana Borealis" opens on October 23 and runs until February 28, 2027, at the Atrium Art Museum.