Leevi Haapala was appointed curator of #FocusFinland, the Finnish programme at the ARCOmadrid 2014 art fair in Madrid. Finland was the focus country of the fair, and it is still the most extensive export project ever undertaken for Finnish art. Several of the most notable art galleries in Finland and more than 20 artists were represented. As the curator, Dr Haapala had the duty of selecting the participating galleries and artists in cooperation with the galleries. The project was coordinated by Frame Visual Art Finland, an organisation for the promotion of Finnish art on the global scene. In addition to the fair, Finnish contemporary art was on display in fifteen venues and events around Madrid.

“ARCO 2014 was a grand march of Finnish contemporary art in Madrid and a great project all round. We gained good exposure. Kiasma had its own lounge at the fair and we fitted out the Finnish embassy from our collections.”

The then Crown Prince, now King Felipe, and his wife Letizia visited the ARCOmadrid fair together with Mr Paavo Arhinmäki, the then Finnish Minister of Culture and Sport. The royal entourage had a strict schedule; there were about 30 attendants with security and the press buzzing around.

“We had to draw up the exact route for the royal party beforehand. It was important to know where to stop and who to talk with. The whole time they were there, cameras were flashing.”

Dr Haapala presented an installation by the IC-98 artist duo to the royal couple in a dark exhibition room.

“It was fascinating to meet such consummate representatives. They were able to become interested in a topic in a heartbeat and be really present for as long as necessary. I noticed royalist fantasies suddenly blooming in my mind. It was intriguing to notice things that as the product of a democracy I had never even considered. The aura created around royalty is really something special.”