I worked on an exhibition titled “Moved by Nature,” which took place from September 21 to October 14, 2017, at the Finlandia University Gallery in Hancock, Michigan. This exhibition was a collaboration between artists Taina Kontio and Riitta Ikonen. The inspiration for the exhibition came from ancient Finnish and Kalevala mythologies, which often personified elements of nature and depicted the flow of life and water. One of my artworks in this exhibition was called “Piece of Heaven, Piece of Earth.” It was a collaborative piece featuring a digitally printed batiste cotton textile measuring 1.4 x 3 meters. The images on this textile represented the melting Kemijoki River in spring and the clouds in the Rovaniemi sky. This textile work was inspired by my colleague Taina Kontio’s video art project, “Riverness,” which beautifully explored her family’s connection to water. I invited the residents of Hancock to contribute to the exhibition by bringing “a Piece of Earth,” such as a small plant from their homes or gardens. The hope was that the space in front of the textile would transform into a blooming autumn garden during the exhibition. While working on this artwork, I contemplated the eco-centred traditions of our ancestors. In Finland, we still had customs of listening to nature and seeking blessings from “Ahti,” our ancient God of Waters, when we went fishing. Similarly, many indigenous peoples around the world showed respect for nature and sought permission before taking from it. Our modern system shifted to being more human-centred, which was an improvement compared to when industries were placed at the center. However, some individuals questioned whether we should view ourselves as just one part of the system rather than being in control of it. Some researchers and educators did valuable work by incorporating subjects like gardening into art and design curricula. Unfortunately, many students from crowded cities may not have had the opportunity to connect with plants or understand their roots. I believed that our exhibition contributed to the ongoing dialogue about eco-centred systems and prompted us to consider how nature-centred mythologies manifested in modern times.

Moved by Nature exhibition at Finlandia university Gallery, Hancock, Michigan, USA 21.9.- 14.10.2017