Saturday art blogging: public art in Turku

by Eszter Hargittai on November 10, 2018

I love public art. I love stumbling upon sculptures while walking around in a city. I only got to spend about 36 hours in Turku, Finland and most of it was rather dark (and/or foggy) plus I was inside for my talk and meals for a good chunk of the time, but I still got to experience some surprises. Pictured to the right is Posankka, a cross between a pig and a duck, that its artist Alvar Gullichsen apparently created as a commentary on genetically-modified organisms. I spotted it across the highway as I was walking around the University of Turku and had to get closer to investigate. It looked cute from afar, not so much from closer. It seems to elicit a lot of sentiments in people and now greets visitors to Turku as they enter the city. (Originally it floated on water.)

This was not the creepiest piece I saw in Turku, not to suggest that I usually measure sculptures by the amount of creepiness they elicit. That just happened to come up here a couple of times. The little girl to the left wins that award from me. It reminds me of something, but I can’t put my finger on it and online searches didn’t help. I’m more of a fan of other pieces I saw around town. But not being a fan does not mean I don’t enjoy stumbling upon a piece. As I noted, I get a kick out of being surprised by such works when I explore a city. What’s some of the more unusual public art you’ve seen? I’d love to see examples if you can point to them.

For more on what public art I found walking the streets of Turku, click here.

{ 5 comments }

1

Alan White 11.11.18 at 3:49 am

I love this series Eszter.

2

Eszter Hargittai 11.11.18 at 9:36 am

Thanks, Alan! I wanted CT to have more art posts and also wanted to write more about art.

3

Ike 11.11.18 at 3:48 pm

The sculpture of the little girl is part of a four-sculpture instalment by Kari-Petteri Kakko called “Tähtiin tähyävät” (“Those who gaze at the stars”). There’s more information and pictures availablehere, although it’s possible that the page is available only in Finnish.

4

Eszter Hargittai 11.11.18 at 4:06 pm

Thank you, Ike, that’s very helpful! I was able to translate the page. I like the theme of looking at the stars. Indeed, it encourages exactly what I appreciate about public art: to stop for a moment and contemplate your surroundings differently than you would have otherwise.

I looked up more information about the artist and I doubt I would have come across his work before so I still don’t know what it reminds me of.

5

William S Berry 11.14.18 at 6:35 pm

It reminds me of something, but I can’t put my finger on it

Gollum trying to convince Frodo of his love and loyalty (minutes after trying to murder him)?

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