Rumba

Alko, the government-owned alcohol company, celebrated its 60th anniversary by donating the City of Helsinki a sculpture to be placed close to its headquarters in Salmisaari. An open competition was arranged in 1990 and it was won by Martti Aiha’s (1952-2023) entry “Rumba”. It was unveiled and donated to the City on April 5, 1992.

Rumba’s lively figure has inspired a host of interpretations. Some have seen it as the Nike, the winged god of victory from Greek mythology while others have taken it as a depiction of the dynamics of movement, referring only to its self as is typical of the 1990s modernist sculpture. The title is a reference to music, and in Martti Aiha’s opinion, it also refers to the “Rumba” of the passing traffic. The work also follows references to a movement in 1970s art, which favoured openess to interpretation, thus distinguishing itself from ascetic and non-ornamental imagery. The sculpture is black-painted aluminium and about 15 metres high.

The artwork was renovated and re-elected in 2020-2025.

Martti Aiha studied in art schools in 1970 – 1976. He also worked as a teacher in Lahti. He is known for many public artworks that often has ornamental features. Aiha used a lot of different materials – in the public works often concrete and steel, but in other works also wood, plastic and ready-made pieces.

Aiha got numerous prices during his career and was granted an extra pension in 2021. His works are represented in many artmuseums.

The work belongs to the City of Helsinki’s art collection, which is managed and curated by HAM.