Eiklassisen

Eiklassisen is a Finnish term used to describe art, music, or design that does not belong to or align with the classical tradition. It is commonly used to contrast with works labeled as classical, or with classical aesthetics, repertoire, or performance practice.

Etymology and usage: The word is formed from ei (not) and klassinen (classical). In Finnish, eiklassisen appears as a compound adjective in noun phrases such as eiklassisen musiikin or eiklassisen arkkitehtuurin. It is not a fixed technical category, but a descriptive label that varies with context and author.

Scope and context: The term appears mainly in journalism, criticism, and academic writing when discussing contemporary or non-traditional approaches. It can refer to non-classical musical genres—pop, rock, electronic, hip-hop—as well as visual arts, theater, and architecture that deliberately depart from classical forms, conventions, or aesthetics.

Examples: In a review, a critic might describe a concert as eiklassisen musiikin esitys, emphasizing its use of electronic sounds and non-traditional structures. In architecture, a new design might be called eiklassisen arkkitehtuuri if it avoids classic orders and ornamentation in favor of modern materials and spatial concepts.