The Elephant block on the southern side of Senate Square in Helsinki is part of the city's Empire-style centre. The leading architect Carl Ludvig Engel modernised the façades of these old merchant houses to reflect neoclassical ideals as part of a grand scheme for the city's central square in the early 19th century.

The buildings of the Elephant block provide a cross-section of the city's history and of wealthy stages in its cultural life. The Sederholm Building (constructed in 1756-1757) on Aleksanterinkatu is the oldest surviving building in the city centre. Over the ages this building has housed a tobacco factory, a girls' school, various restaurants, a bakery and the City Court of Helsinki. It is now used as an exhibition facility by Helsinki City Museum.

The adjoining Brummer Building (constructed in 1823) was a favoured meeting place for leading intellectuals in Helsinki, such as the Saturday Society of university students. The amateur artist H. J. Falkman established a distillery in the building and a studio for his son, and Marshal Carl Gustav Emil Mannerheim subsequently lived there after his period as Regent came to an end. The building is now used as the official residence of the Mayor of Helsinki.

The interiors of the studio designed by the architect Theodor Höijer and its library and bedroom were the work of Falkman's son, the artist and influential cultural figure Severin Falkman. Following its completion this studio was considered the most beautiful construction of its kind in Helsinki. The interiors of the studio, which now serves as an exhibition space, exemplify an imposing renaissance style. The studio features a large fireplace with ornamental decoration by Falkman, while paintings on Italian landscape themes surround the walls below the cornice mouldings. The premises provide a beautiful view onto a peaceful inner courtyard that is seldom seen by the public.

Severin Falkman was one of the first students of the Art Society of Finland school of drawing, and was a leading member of the Friends of Finnish Handicraft and of the Art Society for many years. His best-known work is the historical painting Karl Knutsson Bonde leaves Vyborg Castle for the Stockholm Royal election in 1448. Other works include the altar paintings of churches in Sotkamo and Huittinen, the lunette paintings for various subject area halls of the National Library of Finland, and the plafond paintings of the Alexander Theatre in Helsinki. Falkman died in 1889 at his home adjoining the studio.

The public facilities in the Elephant block that are most familiar to local people are the City Museum, the White Hall, and Helsinki City Tourist Information. Most of the buildings in the block are used as offices. Plans are under way to reinvigorate the block by reopening its interior courtyards to the public with new shops and restaurants.

The Masters of Arts 2010 exhibition will occupy empty office facilities in the Elephant block that the City of Helsinki plans to renovate over the next few years. The present state of the facilities presents a challenge to the exhibition designer and the participating Masters of Arts – though it also provides opportunities to achieve something unique in their work. The exhibition is sure to delight all visitors with works of art and design displayed as part of a living city centre.

The boundaries of the Elephant block are Aleksanterinkatu, Helenankatu, Katariinankatu and Pohjoisesplanadi.

Visit the illustrated Finnish language website at www.helsinginleijona.fi for further details of the Elephant and other blocks on the south side of Senate Square.
Further details of the exhibition are available at www.mastersofarts.fi