Retretti Art Cente

In the summer of 2004 I was driving through the lake landscape of Southern Finland. Somewhere in the middle of nowhere near the Russian border I passed a small passage between two lakes and there it was, a big art exhibition complex called Retretti. Actually, the buildings are a piece of art themselves. They contain galleries which are excavated to a depth of 30 meters forming a series of caves with strange creations by (Finnish) artists.

Most interesting was the exhibition of works by the versatile Swedish painter Anders Zorn (1860 - 1920), from scenes depicting the everyday and festive life of his native Darla, to portaits and sensual nudes (oils, watercolours and prints). Passing the Retretti shop I couldn't resist to buy a framed copy of his beautiful painting "Out". It now has a prominent place in my house.

Retretti is a nice change from all those forests and lakes (and mosquitos). It is certainly worth a stop, irrespective of the kind of featured exhibition. Don't forget the caves!