Empathy Machine

Photo Museum Ireland PresentsMaija Tammi’s Empathy Machine – A Groundbreaking Exploration of HumanEmotion

Photo Museum Ireland is proud to present Empathy Machine, agroundbreaking solo exhibition by Finnish artist and researcher Maija Tammi. Atthe heart of the exhibition is Hulda & Lilli, an immersiveinstallation that fuses art and science in a powerful narrative experience.

Visitors begin their journey by making a choice that shapes how theyengage with a series of intimate, fairytale-like stories presented inphotographs, illuminated texts, and a large-scale video projection. They get tofollow the story, biological development and feelings of either a femalechameleon called Hulda, or a female locust called Lilli. Designed to provokegenuine emotional responses, this engaging exhibition is a kind of inventivehuman experiment. It encourages viewers to question how empathy is created, andhow their own emotions are experienced and understood.

A dedicated ‘debriefing room’ at the end of theexhibition offers visitors fresh perspectives to reflect on their emotionaljourney. With insights ranging from neuroscience and biology to film and mediastudies, visitors have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of empathyas a human experience.

This is the Irish premiere of Tammi’sacclaimed work, and Photo Museum Ireland is proud to present this ambitiousproject in partnership with the Finnish Museum of Photography with support fromthe Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Finnish Institute and the Embassy ofFinland in Ireland. The accompanying series of engagement events is supportedby Taighde Éireann/Research Ireland and is part of the exciting Science Week2025 national programme.

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About Maija Tammi

Maija Tammi (b.1985) is a Finnish artist, researcher andDoctor of Arts, whose photographs and videos examine the liminal areas ofmortality and immortality, science and art. She regularly collaborates withscientists and musicians.

Tammi’s work has been exhibited extensivelyinternationally, including shows in Paris, Berlin, Rome, London, New York,Tokyo, and others. Tammi’s artworks are in the collections of Museum ofContemporary Photography in Chicago, USA, Contemporary Art Museum Kiasma inHelsinki, Finland, and National Portrait Gallery in London, UK.  She has four published books, including Hulda/Lilliwhich won the Finnish Photobook Award 2023.

She has a Master’s degree in visual journalism and sheworked as a photojournalist for six years before her artistic career. Shecompleted her practice-based doctorate from Aalto University, School of Arts,Design and Architecture in 2017. The work in The Empathy Machine wasmade while Tammi held the title of Artist Professor awarded by the ArtsPromotion Centre of Finland 2020-24. Her current research is supported by KoneFoundation, Finland. www.maijatammi.com.