FLOWERPOWER - kukkien maailma
The exhibition brings an experiential kingdom of flowers to the museum. In addition to flower-themed paintings, the display includes textiles, objects and other materials related to the theme. The exhibition has been assembled from the collections of the Riihimäki Art Museum as well as materials from other collections and loans from partner institutions. On view are works from the art museum’s collections ranging from pieces by Helene Schjerfbeck, Ellen Thesleff, Ester Helenius, Inari Krohn, Mikko and Kerstin Carlstedt. Glass vases are on loan from the Finnish Glass Museum, and porcelain and herbarium sheets from the Riihimäki City Museum. As part of the exhibition, Julia Kemppinen gave an invited lecture on plants and biodiversity.
Kenen luonto? Whose nature?
In the exhibition, renowned photographers explore new ways of encountering nature and inter-species companionship. The exhibition challenges visitors to strengthen their insightful connection to nature and activate environmentally conscious thinking. The exhibition features forest advocates Ritva Kovalainen and Sanni Seppo, who have both received the State Award for Public Information. In addition to them, the exhibition includes works by Ilkka Halso, Harri Heinonen, Marko Hämäläinen, Sanna Kannisto, Juha Suonpää, and the working group Saxifraga of Julia Kemppinen, Kikka and Pekka Niittynen, and Heikki Willamo.
What does climate change feel like?
I was once asked how do I feel about climate change as a scientist? Kuohu is Finnish and translates as an emotional turmoil. That is what climate change feels like. Kuohu was a photography exhibition Julia Kemppinen held in public libraries in 2021 in Helsinki, Finland. The exhibition was funded by the Ruohonjuuri foundation.
The future of northern environments evoke an emotional turmoil. As climate change advances, what happens to Arctic biodiversity? Snow melts earlier spring after spring, and years are increasingly warmer. This changes the northern environments - its soil, air and water. Arctic plants are adapted to ice and cold, they thrive where nothing else survives. But where can they go when conditions change; further up and further north? Finally, they will reach the mountain tops or the Arctic Ocean. Here are a few gems from the exhibition that took a peek into the life of tiny tundra plants across the Arctic.