NEWS:
A Sculpture for Insects
in
Myllypuro, Helsinki, 2020 ->
The Villa Nova community artwork which was created by the Forest Camp artist collective in 2006 for the ARS 06 exhibition is remade into a Sculpture for Insects in spring 2020.
background: Villa Nova (renamed as Sanerva koti) was a housing community for “socially challenged groups” located in Myllypuro, a suburb of East Helsinki. The dormitory was closed in autumn 2005 due to renovations and the inhabitants were moved to a temporary accommodation in Kallio district in Helsinki.
In August 2006 as part of the ARS06 exhibition a communal art project was initiated by the
Deaconess Foundation and the
Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma. One of the purposes of
the project was to create an environmental work of art at Villa Nova. The artist collective Forest Camp was selected to work on the project by Kiasma. The art work, which was named Villa Nova, was carried out by Forest Camp together with the residents of the dormitory. It was seen in the Rear window in Kiasma and also as an environmental art work in Myllypuro. The central element of the outdoor installation was a nearly six-meter-long piece of log furniture.
Villa Nova, Helsinki, 2006
A Sculpture for Insects, 2020
Already when Villa Nova was created in Myllypuro, it was clear that the timber used for the artwork would deteriorate over time. Forest Camp the Deaconess Foundation and Kiasma agreed that instead of renovating the logs, the alternative could be for Forest Camp to develop the work in a completely new direction.
A detail of the deteriorating Villa Nova artwork in spring 2020.
In recent years, there have been alarming messages from biologists around the world that the pollinators are disappearing. The reduction in the number of pollinators is a global problem and people have tried to help insects survive for example by building artificial shelters for them.
Forest Camp addresses this issue in A Sculpture for Insects by making art in collaboration with insects. Insects help the artists in creating a new artwork and in return get a place to live.
Although Forest Camp is better known for its Kakutus sandcastle interventions, the work of the team has been very diverse over the years. Among the works of Forest Camp there have been several collaborations with nature e.g. with swallows (A String For Swallows , 2003), deer (Salt Lick, 2010) and birch trees (Nokia Park 2007, 2007).
A Sculpture for Insects under construction in spring 2020.
A Sculpture for Insects
by
Forest Camp, Helsinki, 2020.
NOTE!
Due to the current Corona situation, there will be no opening ceremony. Forest Camp wishes that anyone visiting the site will not disturb the insects and will follow the prevailing instructions of the authorities for social distancing!
For more information and hi-res images contact:
fc(at)forestcamp(dot)info
Instagram:
@kakutus_fc
#sculptureforinsects