New public artworks that will be added to the City of Helsinki’s art collection have been installed in Kalasatama. The unveiling ceremony for the works will be held on September 20, 2024.
Two new public artworks have been completed in Sompasaari. The latest works, Pekka Kauhanen’s Litistynyt houkka and Heini Aho’s *Ajatuksen huuhtomaa*—are both located by the water and draw inspiration from Kalasatama’s maritime environment.
The works installed at Vinsentinaukio and on the pier piers of Sompasaari enrich the area’s art scene as part of the Kalasatama environmental art project.
The “Flattened Hoop” invites various interpretations
The late sculptor Pekka Kauhanen’s Flattened Owl (2016/2024) is located by the canal fence—the stainless-steel figure gazes out at the world, surrounded by winged creatures. The proposal for the artwork won an award in an art competition organized by the City of Helsinki in 2016. It was installed on site by sculptor Matti Peltokangas, art foundry artist Arto Hyyryläinen, and visual artist Outi Pienimäki.
Kauhanen encouraged viewers to interpret his works in multiple ways. Outi Pienimäki describes in HAM’s press release Flattened Snowdrift “a portrait of a person who, even when life is at its roughest, looks ahead and sees the good in the world. It is an image of faith in the sustaining power of life; it is an image of hope that tomorrow everything will be better.”
“Washed Away by Thought” draws inspiration from its surroundings
Visual artist Heini Aho’s “Washed by Thought” —a series of works (2024)—presents different perspectives on observing the environment through five distinct pieces. For the works located on the jetty islets surrounding Sompasaari, Aho observed the characteristics and uses of the islets at different times of the year and day. In addition, he has combined sculptural elements with engraved texts created in collaboration with poet Virpi Vairinen.
For example, Ylenevä—the open hand and the seashell depicted in the work represent listening to the environment. Pikku Hylkysaari, on the other hand, explores the concept of an urban recycling and discovery hub. The idea is inspired by the nearby Hylkysaari and the treasures washed ashore by the sea.
Like the other environmental artworks in Kalasatama, these works have been curated by HAM Helsinki Art Museum. The works are part of a project involving not only HAM but also the City of Helsinki Executive Office, the Urban Environment Division, and the Culture and Leisure Division. Last year two new artworks were unveiled in Sompasaari. The project is funded by a per-square-meter fee collected from developers in the area.
The unveiling ceremony will take place on September 20 at 1:00 p.m. The event will begin at Vinsentinaukio, from where attendees will proceed to view Heini Aho’s body of work with a guided tour by the artist. The work will be unveiled by Arja Miller, director of the HAM Helsinki Art Museum .