Library Genesis

"First and foremost: The library has existed ab aeterno. This truth, whose immediate consequence is the world's eternal future, cannot be doubted by any rational being."¹

Library Genesis is a site-specific group exhibition held at Richardsgatan Library in Helsinki during June-July 2026. The exhibition's artists are Sara Blosseville, Kryštof Kučera, Hikari Nishida, Frans Nybacka, Jaakko Pallasvuo, Heu Hsu, and Xiao Zhiyu. The exhibition is curated by Uni Nissinen.

The exhibition's concept is inspired by the idea of the universe as an architecture of information and the library as its metaphor. Allegory lives in art and culture, and a significant example is Jorge Luis Borges' philosophical tale La biblioteca de Babel (1941). In the novella, the physical structure of reality is a labyrinthine endless library, whose basic unit is an infinitely repeating bookshelf. The unifying element of Library Genesis is a furniture sculpture by carpenter Kryštof Kučera that resembles a bookshelf and supports the exhibition's other works. The ensemble of works is placed within a hybrid structure that develops its own internal semiotics.

The exhibition venue is Richardsgatan Library, completed in 1882 and the first building in the Nordic region designed as a public library. In this historically significant library with an art focus, there is an art lending collection and a collection of over 500 art books. Library Genesis is positioned at the base of the spiral staircase that connects the library's floors, the so-called book tower.

The exhibition is accessible during library hours from 4.6.-31.7.2026.

You are welcome to the opening on 3.6. from 18:00 to 20:00, Richardsgatan 3! At the opening, Heu Hsu performs with a sound installation exploring the acoustics of the library hall. Additionally, a limited edition of Library Genesis caps designed by Jaakko Pallasvuo will be on sale.

The exhibition has been supported by the Centre for the Promotion of Art @taikegram and the Finnish Cultural Foundation @kulttuurirahasto.

Poster: Vivien Sorrentino @virtualviv_

Thanks to the special librarians J