Exploring Kaamos at Espacio Marzana in Bilbao
Art enthusiasts visiting the Bilbao Estuary will find a striking exploration of northern light and shadow at Espacio Marzana. The contemporary gallery is currently hosting Kaamos, an exhibition showcasing the collaborative work of artist duo Raisa Raekallio and Misha del Val. Marking their third presentation in the city over the past six years, the showcase brings an atmospheric glimpse of the Arctic winter directly to local audiences.
What to Expect from the Arctic-Inspired Exhibition
The term kaamos refers to the polar night—the extended winter period in the Arctic circle when the sun remains below the horizon. Living and working in the Finnish village of Sirkka, Raekallio and Misha incorporate the distinctive phenomenology of this season into their large-scale canvases and drawings. The resulting imagery moves fluidly between exterior landscapes and internal psychological spaces, populated by unusual figures engaged in quiet cabins, snowy forests, and saunas.
A standout piece in the gallery is Painting #2, the largest work the duo has produced to date, measuring over two meters high and six meters long. This sweeping composition investigates the emotional connections between humans and trees against the backdrop of northern forests. Viewers can trace a narrative journey across the canvas, moving from a gathering of tree-huggers to a psychedelic expanse, featuring enigmatic forest spirits, a pair kissing beneath a liquid moon, and everyday items such as wool mittens and a traditional woodland coffee kettle.
Visitors interested in the creative process behind these collaborative works can also view a demonstration video provided by the artists, offering a visual explanation of how the pair paints together.
To plan your visit alongside other local cultural highlights, you can explore current exhibitions in Bilbao or use Musemap to browse museums across the city app.
