Jani-Matti Salo (b. 1984) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Helsinki, Finland. He works extensively in new media art, public art, and scenography with a specific interest in collective practices, dramaturgy, and sharing authorship with the non-human. Salo has graduated from the University of the Arts Helsinki (MA, 2015) and the Tampere University of Applied Sciences, School of Art and Media (BA, 2009). Since 2015, Salo has worked with Mark Niskanen as part of the artist duo Niskanen & Salo. Niskanen & Salo's works have been exhibited at the HAM Helsinki Art Museum, Helsinki Biennale, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Forum Box Gallery, Helsinki Festival, and in the United States at Mana Contemporary, Grand Rapids Art Museum, and Brooklyn Bridge Park. Salo has also worked as a lighting, video, set, and spatial designer in several contemporary performances that have been presented in more than 25 countries.
EDUCATION
2015 – University of the Arts Helsinki, Department of Lighting and Sound Design, MA
2009 – Tampere University of Applied Sciences, School of Art and Media, BA
EXHIBITIONS
2024 – Sports Hall Window | Helsinki, Finland*
2024 – Enter Woodland Spirits, European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 | Tartu, Estonia*
2023 – Porin Juhlaviikot, Galleria 3H+K | Pori, Finland*
2023 – Grin Cupola | Iowa, USA*
2022 – Teater Viirus, Amphitheatre | Helsinki, Finland*
2021 – Helsinki Biennial, HAM Helsinki Art Museum | Vallisaari, Finland*
2021 – Forum Box | Helsinki, Finland*
2020 – Brooklyn Bridge Park, The FCINY | New York City, USA*
2020 – Poriginal Gallery, Pori Art Museum | Pori, Finland*
2018 – Miami Art Week, Mana Contemporary | Miami, USA*
2018 – HAM Corner, HAM Helsinki Art Museum | Helsinki, Finland*
2018 – Grand Rapids Art Museum | Grand Rapids, USA*
2018 – Helsinki Festival | Helsinki, Finland*
2018 – Art Quarter Budapest | Budapest, Hungary*
2018 – Mana Contemporary | Jersey City, USA*
2018 – Casa Gallery | New York City, USA*
2017 – Alt-ARS17, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma | Helsinki, Finland*
2017 – URB Festival, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma | Helsinki, Finland*
2017 – Miami Art Week, Mana Contemporary | Miami, USA
2017 – Hangö Teaterträff | Hanko, Finland*
2016 – Mana BSMT, Mana Contemporary | Jersey City, USA*
2016 – Mana Contemporary | Chicago, USA*
2015 – Prague Quadrennial | Prague, Czech Republic
2014 – MUU gallery | Helsinki, Finland
2013 – Lux Helsinki, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma | Helsinki, Finland
2012 – Naked Kiasma, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma | Helsinki, Finland
DESIGNS FOR PERFORMANCES AND EXHIBITIONS
2025 – Architecture and Design Museum Helsinki | Helsinki, Finland
2025 – The National Library of Finland | Helsinki, Finland
2023 – Himmelblau Gallery | Tampere, Finland
2023 – & Espoo Theatre | Espoo, Finland
2023 – EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art | Espoo, Finland
2023 – Ateneum | Helsinki, Finland
2021 – Teater Viirus | Helsinki, Finland
2019 – The Finnish National Theatre | Helsinki, Finland
2019 – Theatre Academy | Helsinki, Finland
2018 – Q-teatteri | Helsinki, Finland*
2018 – Teater Viirus | Helsinki, Finland*
2017 – Savoy Theatre | Helsinki, Finland
2017 – Kiasma Theatre, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma | Helsinki, Finland
2017 – SIC gallery | Helsinki, Finland*
2017 – Dansens Hus | Stockholm, Sweden
2017 – Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma | Helsinki, Finland
2017 – Zodiak - Center for New Dance | Helsinki, Finland
2016 – Zodiak - Center for New Dance | Helsinki, Finland
2016 – Kiasma Theatre, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma | Helsinki, Finland
2016 – Q-teatteri | Helsinki, Finland
2016 – Full Moon Dance Festival | Pyhäjärvi, Finland
2015 – Baltic Circle, Tiivistämö | Helsinki, Finland
2015 – Kulturhuset Stadsteatern | Stockholm, Sweden
2015 – Kiasma Theatre, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma | Helsinki, Finland
2015 – Teatteri Takomo | Helsinki, Finland
2015 – The Théâtre National de Chaillot | Paris, France
2014 – The Helsinki Music Centre | Helsinki, Finland
2014 – Baltic Circle, Teatteri Toivo | Helsinki, Finland
2014 – Q-teatteri | Helsinki, Finland
2014 – Helsinki Festival, Pannuhalli | Helsinki, Finland
2014 – Zodiak - Center for New Dance | Helsinki, Finland
2014 – The Finnish National Theatre | Helsinki, Finland
2014 – Teatteri Takomo | Helsinki, Finland
2013 – Kajaani City Theatre | Kajaani, Finland
2013 – Kiasma Theatre, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma | Helsinki, Finland
2013 – Stoa | Helsinki, Finland
2013 – Ateneum | Helsinki, Finland
2012 – Teatteri Takomo | Helsinki, Finland
2012 – Baltic Circle, Tiivistämö | Helsinki, Finland
2012 – Helsinki Festival, Sellosali | Espoo, Finland
2012 – Stoa | Helsinki, Finland
2012 – Heureka Science Center | Vantaa, Finland
2012 – Kiasma Theatre, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma | Helsinki, Finland
2012 – Zodiak - Center for New Dance | Helsinki, Finland
2011 – Theatre Academy | Helsinki, Finland
2011 – Stoa | Helsinki, Finland
2011 – Teatteri Takomo | Helsinki, Finland
2010 – Kiasma Theatre, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma | Helsinki, Finland
2010 – The Finnish National Opera | Helsinki, Finland
2009 – Espa Stage | Helsinki, Finland
2009 – Kiasma Theatre, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma | Helsinki, Finland
2008 – Stoa | Helsinki, Finland
2008 – Kiasma Theatre, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma | Helsinki, Finland
2008 – Dansens Hus | Stockholm, Sweden
2007 – Stoa | Helsinki, Finland
2007 – Kiasma Theatre, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma | Helsinki, Finland
Credits and photos
PUBLIC ARTWORKS
2025 – Sun I-II | Horisontti Tower, Helsinki, Finland (temporary)
2021 – A Scene II | Kaivopuisto, Helsinki, Finland* (permanent)
2019 – Ohikulkijalle | Baana, Helsinki, Finland* (permanent)
WORKS IN COLLECTIONS
HAM Helsinki Art Museum*
Mana Contemporary*
SCREENINGS
2023 – Site:Brooklyn Gallery | New York City, USA*
2023 – Joensuun kirjallisuustapahtuma | Joensuu, Finland*
2023 – Pebbles Underground | Toronto, Canada*
2022 – Forum Box Market, Gallery Forum Box | Helsinki, Finland*
2021 – Uncommon Senses III, Concordia University | Montreal, Canada*
2020 – Gender Studies Conference, Tampere University | Tampere, Finland*
2020 – Split Video Art Festival, Sveučilišna galerija Vasko Lipovac | Split, Croatia*
2020 – Online Program, Mana Contemporary | Jersey City, USA*
2020 – Urban-Related Sensoria, University of Eastern Finland | Joensuu, Finland*
PERFORMANCES ON TOUR
2022 – Kutomo | Turku, Finland
2022 – Homo Novus Festival | Riga, Latvia
2022 – Plartforma | Klaipeda, Lithuania
2019 – The Finnish National Theatre | Helsinki, Finland
2019 – Culture Academy | Viljandi, Estonia
2019 – Kanuti Gildi Saal | Tallinn, Estonia
2019 – Dance Theatre MD, Hällä | Tampere, Finland
2019 – Arsenic | Lausanne, Switzerland
2018 – Baltoscandal | Rakvere, Estonia
2018 – Ice Hot | Reykjavik, Iceland
2017 – Västmanlands Teater | Västerås, Sweden
2017 – Hallunda Folkets Hus | Stockholm, Sweden
2017 – Jatka 78 | Prague, Czech Republic
2017 – Vara Konserthus | Vara, Sweden
2017 – Stora Scen | Gothenburg, Sweden
2017 – Festival Les Boréales | Normandy, France
2017 – Gävle Teater | Gävle, Sweden
2017 – Ytterjärna Kulturhus | Ytterjärna, Sweden
2017 – Eskilstuna Teater | Eskilstuna, Sweden
2017 – Västmanlands Teater | Västerås, Sweden
2017 – WHS Theatre Union | Helsinki, Finland
2017 – Kanuti Gildi Saal | Tallinn, Estonia
2017 – Kajaanin Runoviikko | Kajaani, Finland
2017 – Dance Theatre Minimi, Sotku | Kuopio, Finland
2017 – Korjaamo | Helsinki, Finland
2017 – Colours International Dance Festival | Stuttgart, Germany
2016 – Rovaniemi City Theatre | Rovaniemi, Finland
2016 – Tampere Theatre Festival, MD | Tampere, Finland
2016 – Steps Biennale | Valais, Switzerland
2016 – Dampfzentrale | Bern, Switzerland
2016 – Théâtre De L'Octogone | Pully, Switzerland
2016 – Théâtre Palace | Nyon, Switzerland
2016 – Theater Gessnerallee | Zürich, Switzerland
2016 – Salle des Fêtes de Lignon | Geneva, Switzerland
2016 – Yokohama Dance Collection | Tokyo, Japan
2016 – National Arts Centre | Ottawa, Canada
2016 – Aerowaves, Depo | Pilsen, Czech Republic
2016 – Tanz Ist Festival, Spielboden | Dornbirn, Austria
2016 – Hämeenlinna City Theatre | Hämeenlinna, Finland
2015 – Ryhmäteatteri | Helsinki, Finland
2015 – Lainsuojattomat Festival, Kehräämö | Pori, Finland
2015 – Théâtre de L'Archipel | Perpignan, France
2015 – Scène Nationale de Narbonne | Narbonne, France
2015 – Mercat de les Flors | Barcelona, Spain
2015 – Théâtre National de Chaillot | Paris, France
2015 – Scène Nationale d’Alès | Alès, France
2015 – Julidans | Amsterdam, Netherlands
2015 – Quatrain | Haute-Goulaine, France
2015 – L’Espace de Retz | Machecoul, France
2015 – Carré d’Argent | Pont-Château, France
2015 – Le Théâtre, Scène Nationale de Saint-Nazaire | Saint-Nazaire, France
2014 – Helsinki Music Centre, Concert Hall | Helsinki, Finland
2014 – Mousonturm | Frankfurt, Germany
2014 – Teatro a Corte, Teatro Astra | Turin, Italy
2014 – Manilla | Turku, Finland
2014 – Ice Hot Nordic Dance Platform | Oslo, Norway
2014 – Auditorium Parco della Musica | Rome, Italy
2014 – Stoa | Helsinki, Finland
2014 – Jyväskylä City Theatre | Jyväskylä, Finland
2014 – Linnateatteri | Turku, Finland
2014 – Tampereen Työväen Teatteri | Tampere, Finland
2013 – Korjaamo | Helsinki, Finland
2013 – Sellosali | Espoo, Finland
2013 – Sigyn Hall | Turku, Finland
2013 – Carelia Hall | Joensuu, Finland
2013 – Kuusamotalo | Kuusamo, Finland
2013 – Verkatehdas | Hämeenlinna, Finland
2013 – Sibelius Hall | Lahti, Finland
2013 – Savoy Theatre | Helsinki, Finland
2013 – Dansens Hus | Stockholm, Sweden
2013 – June Events | Paris, France
2013 – Tanssin Aika, Jyväskylä City Theatre | Jyväskylä, Finland
2013 – De Kern | Wilrijk, Belgium
2013 – Theater Malpertuis | Tielt, Belgium
2013 – The Finnish National Theatre | Helsinki, Finland
2013 – Space for Free Arts, University of the Arts | Helsinki, Finland
2013 – Merikaapelihalli | Helsinki, Finland
2012 – Korundi | Rovaniemi, Finland
2012 – Pixelache Club, Dubrovnik | Helsinki, Finland
2012 – Titanik Gallery | Turku, Finland
2012 – Springdance Festival | Utrecht, Netherlands
2012 – Bouge B, Singel | Antwerp, Belgium
2012 – November Next Festival | Kortrijk, Belgium
2012 – OPEK | Leuven, Belgium
2012 – December Dance Festival | Bruges, Belgium
2012 – Dansens Hus | Stockholm, Sweden
2012 – Tanztheater Festival | Hanover, Germany
2012 – Theatre Telakka | Tampere, Finland
2012 – Sadler’s Wells | London, United Kingdom
2011 – Takomo Theatre | Helsinki, Finland
2011 – Finnish National Opera, Alminsali | Helsinki, Finland
2011 – Norrdans | Härnösand, Sweden
2010 – Stoa | Helsinki, Finland
2010 – Dansens Hus | Stockholm, Sweden
2010 – Edinburgh Fringe Festival | Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
2010 – Tampere Theatre Festival | Tampere, Finland
2010 – Jyväskylä City Theatre | Jyväskylä, Finland
2009 – Aleksanterin teatteri | Helsinki, Finland
2009 – Dansens Hus | Stockholm, Sweden
2009 – Kajaani Tanssii | Kajaani, Finland
2009 – Full Moon Dance Festival | Pyhäjärvi, Finland
2008 – Stoa | Helsinki, Finland
2008 – Jyväskylä City Theatre | Jyväskylä, Finland
2007 – Stoa | Helsinki, Finland
RESIDENCIES
2019 – 1-year studio residency, Mana Contemporary | Jersey City, USA*
2018 – 2-month studio residency, Mana Contemporary | Jersey City, USA*
AWARDS
2023 – Säde Award: Nomination for Best Video Design of the Year in Finland (with WAUHAUS)
2018 – Säde Award: Best Lighting Design of the Year in Finland*
2018 – Art Prize: Nomination for Juried Grand Prize & Time-Based Category Prize*
2015 – Prague Quadrennial Award: Gold Medal for the use of Media in Performance Design
2015 – Prague Quadrennial Award: Nomination for the Golden Triga for Best Exposition
2014 – Säde Award: Best Lighting Design of the Year in Finland
2013 – Säde Award: Nomination for Best Lighting Design of the Year in Finland
2012 – Säde Award: Nomination for Best Lighting Design of the Year in Finland
2012 – Säde Award: Nomination for Best Lighting Design of the Year in Finland
2010 – Säde Award: Nomination for Best Lighting Design of the Year in Finland
GRANTS
Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike)
AVEK – The Promotion Center for Audiovisual Culture*
Finnish Cultural Foundation
Finnish Cultural Foundation, The Satakunta Regional Fund*
Finnish Cultural Foundation, The Uusimaa Regional Fund*
Frame Contemporary Art Finland*
Frey Foundation*
Kone Foundation
The Greta and William Lehtinen Foundation*
PUBLICATIONS
2025 – Reorientations – Steps Towards More Ecosocially Sustainable New Media Art and Contemporary Performance Lighting Design. University of the Arts Helsinki, 2025. ISBN 978-952-353-086-7. Part of the Theatre Academy’s publication series (ISSN 2242-6507).
INTERVIEWS, ARTICLES, AND REVIEWS
MEMBER OF
Forum Box
MANAGEMENT
* = Niskanen & Salo