Päivi Alajuntti: What’s Now?
Voices approach while red eyes glow in the dim forest.
Fluctuating shrill noises and glowing red eyes stop the passersby. The dim forest is full of something... beings staring from the dark. And a sound is approaching - or is it smoke? As if something is burning.
The lights and sounds of two different art works excite varying interpretations in the audience. Part of light art festival Reflektor Vantaa in 2021, the work What's now? was installed alongside Avian Electronics | Fire & Cicadas, a sound installation of electronic sound with 10 loudspeakers by Ville Aalto.
What's now? is a light installation that consists of 40 forest beings made from pieces of bark fallen to the ground from rotting trees. Two lights are embedded onto the bark as eyes. Forest beings and loudspeakers are hung on trees at different heights.
The forest beings are concerned about the accelerating consequences of global warming. Among other things, forest fires around the world are destroying nature and narrowing living space.
You can find teaser of the light and sound installations here.
You can find the independent sound installation (Avian Electronics | Fire & Cicadas by Ville Aalto) here.
Master of Arts, the University of Art and Design Helsinki, b. 1956, lives in Fiskars (Raasepori), Finland
Information
Artwork finished in:
2021
Which kind of light sources and what other materials and equipment are used? 80 red LED lights, 40 pieces of tree bark, forest area about 70 m x 10 m.
Please provide the dimensions of the work. Approximate size will do. Please mention if the work can be adjusted. (width-height-depth): 70m x 3m x 10m, the work is flexible and can be adjusted.
Electricity consumption: Self-supporting (no need for an electric current, uses batteries etc.). The sound system needs electricity.
Does the artwork use sound? Loud sound. You can find the independent sound installation (Avian Electronics | Fire & Cicadas by Ville Aalto) here
Support and other structures: The work includes all the necessary structures.
Please state which structures, hardware or other equipment is needed from the client: Ladder or similar for hanging max to 4 m.
Minimum height of the space: Enough trees in the park, a small grove or a forest near the sidewalk or path.
Minimum square meters of the space: Adjustable, 350 - 700 m2.
Requirements for the space: darkness, temperature, colouring (light / dark / specific colour / other) etc.: Reasonably darkness in the evening, no strong spotlights nearby, sub-zero temperatures, rain, humidity.
Building time and people required (estimate): About 2-3 days for mounting, 1/2 day for dismantling. Needs 1-2 helper.
Artist's presence: Artist or their representative must be present during building.
Seen before at: Reflektor, Vantaa, 2021
