For the eleventh time, the Rauma Art Museum will stage the Rauma Biennale Balticum - a biennial showing of contemporary art of the Baltic countries presenting current and interesting themes and artists. The 2006 biennial has the title "Wake up!". Its theme leads viewers to consider awareness and presence from the perspectives of both the individual and society - from the spiritual and the meditative towards discursive approaches and activism. The exhibition features twenty artists from nine countries, representing a wide range of techniques and perspectives.

The works will be on show in the exhibition rooms and yard area of the Rauma Art Museum, in different parts of the city centre and in Old Rauma. Kaarina Kaikkonen's "From the Depths I Call to You", rising from the river towards the sky, is located near Rauma Church. Some of the works are of project form, such as Sauna Obscura by Heidi Lunabba, which will be at Rauma for only the opening weekend. This floating sauna in Rauma Canal will be heated for guests to the opening on 9 June from 9 to 11 p.m. and 10 June from 5 to 10 p.m., and on 11 June for the public from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5 to 10 p.m. The sauna will be shown to the press on Friday 9 June from 3 to 5 p.m.

The official patron of the exhibition is Mr. Hannu Saha, chairman of the Arts Council of Finland. The catalogue includes an article by Reijo Kupiainen, PhD, and interviews with the participating artists. The catalogue focuses on accessibility and readability. It is distributed free of charge and will be used in a pedagogical programme for local schools after the summer. The graphic design of the catalogue is by Henri Tani.

The post-opening party, to be held together with the Lönnström Art Museum, will begin at 9 p.m. in the lobby of the Rauma Theatre. This event will feature the artist and musician Catti Brandelius alias Miss Universum from Sweden ( http://www.missuniversum.nu/) performing for the first time in Finland.

The exhibition working group of Rauma Biennale Balticum 2006 Wake up! includes Heikki Horila, Janne Koski, Henna Paunu, Pauliina Monto-Kokkonen and Mika Kallioniemi.