Multifaceted matters,
Nokia Library and culture center
Multifaceted matters is a public art by Kaisa Soini in the main entrance terrace of the Nokian kirjasto- ja kulttuuritalo Virta [Nokia Library and culture center]. Commissioned by the City of Nokia and completed in 2023, the sculpture honours long-term careers of city council and city government chairmen Seppo Kallio and Reino Ojala.
The library and culture building designed by architect Pekka Koli offers a centrally located site in the city of Nokia. There are various vistas to it both from outdoors and within the building. In the entrance terrace the work is located in a roof supporting pillar. The 6-metre high sculpture is integrated into the pillar and covers main part of it.
The title of the work refers to an idea to present a metaphor for a capacity required in politics, i.e. to reconcile different aspects to matters and find common ground for solutions. Thus derives the use of over-proportioned clamp as a basic unit in the work. It consists of two parts which are assembled around the pillar. They are attached neatly to each other, as are aspects when resolving public matters.
The work consists of 30 units stacked around the pillar like annual rings reflecting lengthy careers in question. Units are 18-centimetre high and 50-90-centimetre wide each. They are positioned in a manner continuing the metaphor – each unit is attached from a unique angle, not unlike each solution is to be found.
Visually the work hints at industrial aesthetics. There is a robust beauty of functionality found when forms derive from mechanics and bits and bolts are left unsealed. A feel for metal as a material with its own work methods is part of this essence. Clamp-like units are designed accordingly and executed in aluminium in a local metal shop.
In the context of art, the work brings forth a connection to ready-made sculptures. One could see the clamp as a found object being further developed into art. Also, a reference to serialism is at hand, but not quite accurate since the entirety rather aims at a singular form to be perceived. Although units clearly serve it, their manifold contributes to surprising metamorphoses in the form.
Three-dimensionality of the work awakens within the rotating positions of units in the pillar. They follow a spiral-like motion which changes. Width of units correlates with these changes, and therein the work reveals its spatiality. Additionally, an optical illusion of movement in the shape evolves. The shape appears to spin, perhaps like a propeller.
Strong presence of color is central in the work. Its palette consists of total ten tones of reds and green-turquoises. The latter ones attach the work into the building façade colors, and the former ones give them a contrast. These two colors dominate different sides of the shape. Within them the tones are structured as stripes carrying a rhythm of repeat and variations. The horizontality of stripes counters the vertical main orientation of the work.
Form and color, as two different and autonomous resources of art, are present in the work. They are combined so that color both structures and suspends the form, or the illusion of movement it conveys. This emphasizes the multifaceted nature of the work that unfolds in the site. Though there are many aspects to it, yet the most interesting one depends on the viewer.
Techical consulting: M.Sc. Jori Montonen
Fabrication: Siuron Metallirakenne Oy
Location: Nokian kirjasto- ja kulttuuritalo Virta / Välikatu 6, Nokia
AD ASTRA, VUORES, TAMPERE
Ad astra Is a work of land art designed by Kaisa Soini in the Mäyränmäki section of the Vuores residential area in Tampere. The work was commissioned and realized by Sievitalot Oy, and completed in 2017 as part of the Vuores arts programme.
Ad astra Is a star-patterned mosaic work made of cast stone, located in the central piazza of a housing company consisting of small blocks of flats. In terms of the mental image it evokes, the work may be described as a large-scale graphic carpet. Its dimensions are 8 x 22 metres and its surface area about 180 square metres.
The title is derived from the Latin phrase Per aspera ad astra (Through hardship to the stars), which is often also translated Through hardship to victory. Here, it refers literally to the stars and the nature theme common to the art in the Vuores area. The star patterns in the work repeat the constellations in the firmament and, when lit during night-time, reflect the constellations back to the sky – to the stars.
The star patterns, composed according to different groups of colours, form groups which further form constellations mostly seen in the Northern sky: Ursa Minor (Lesser Bear/Little Dipper), Musca (Fly), Cassiopeia and Corona Borealis (Northern Crown).
The intensity and colour of the lighting, recessed in the paving, are varied to ensure that the constellations can be discerned in the dark. The brightest and largest of the lights represents Kochab, a star in the Little Dipper.
For the residents, Ad astra offers varying experiences along their daily routes, and thanks to the lighting it also functions as a festive venue for joint events.
The work may be viewed in the grounds of the housing companies Vuoreksen Tähti I and II (Hupakankorvenkatu 6-10, Tampere).
ART IN THE NOISE BARRIERS OF THE TAMPERE TUNNEL
In connection of the construction of the Tampereen Rantatunneli tunnel, large-sized works of art were created in the vicinity of the tunnel, as part of the overall project implemented by the Rantatunneli Alliance.The art project known as the Noise Art Gallery was completed in 2016. This consists of a total of some 440 metres of concrete noise barriers, featuring art designed by six visual artists.
The art noise barriers by Kaisa Soini are found in Soukanlahdenkatu street in Armonkallio and along Main Road 12 in Santalahti, near the western end of the tunnel.
SOUKANLAHDENKATU
The visual idea for the work in Soukanlahdenkatu is derived from the buildings in the Armonkallio area. The purpose was to bring tranquillity to the neighbourhood and support the creation of street space between the wall of noise barriers and the buildings in Soukanlahdenkatu.
The work consists of eight 2×4-metre sections, with a colour scheme selected to reflect the colours of the façades of the buildings opposite and the different chronological layers. The surface of the work, realized in graphic concrete, is three-dimensional, while its asymmetrical shape repeats the shape of the bay windows looking on the street.
The work is designed to appear three-dimensional to pedestrians, who are able to see the tricks of perspective of the surface and the ‘two faces’ of the work that change according to the direction of approach. The same idea was applied in the two-dimensional addition to the work, situated at the northern end of Soukanlahdenkatu.
SANTALAHTI, MAIN ROAD 12
The work in Santalahti strives to adapt itself to the overall landscape of the area, defined by the massive traffic arrangements of Main Road 12, the shoreline of Lake Näsijärvi and the residential areas still under construction. The aim is to enter into a dialogue with these fixtures so as to complement the landscape by minimalistic means.
The work consists of three 2×8-metre sections resembling navigation marks. The surface is created of graphic concrete as a combination of black aggregate and trough-like depressions in it. The niche-like depressions are finished with metallic paints creating reflections and illusory shapes.
The materials used are extremely sensitive to changes in light conditions, with the result that the shape of the work appears to change completely depending on the lighting. The phenomenon can best be observed from a moving car.
DEBET-CREDIT, TAMPERE COMMERCIAL COLLEGE
Debet–credit is public art by Kaisa Soini in the main lobby of the Tampereen kauppaoppilaitos [Tampere Commercial College]. Commissioned by the City of Tampere and completed in 2010, the work consists of a series of seven paintings placed along a 30-metre wall on the second floor of the lobby.
WRITINGS contains the article In Search of Modern Time (in Finnish, RY 4/2011) by Kaisa Soini, which presents the work. An essential part of the process was to achieve a close relationship to the rationalistic architecture of the building.
The work may be seen in Tampereen kauppaoppilaitos (Sammonkatu 45, Tampere).