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Timo Aho: BREATHE

Breathing inflatable light sculpture, 2018

Just like an artificial respiration machine, Breathe inflates and deflates steadily in 10-second cycles repeating the organ-like movement. It is fully dependent on electricity, technology, automation and eventually, the human in control. It is made out of 100 % recycled black plastic, tied with LED Neon lights and controlled by a relay switch which is connected to an air blower.

Timo Aho (b. 1980, Finland) is a Helsinki based artist who works with sculpture, installation- and site-specific art. In his work, Aho uses a wide range of materials and media, often including ephemeral elements such as light, air and sound. His artistic practice investigates environment through societal structures and belief systems. Examining the fine line between reality and fiction, Aho disentangles these topics with subtle gestures. Timo Aho holds an MFA in visual arts from the Art University’s Academy of Fine Arts Helsinki and a BA from the Glasgow School of Art’s sculpture and environmental art department. In addition to his own artistic practice, Aho collaborates with other artists and scientists. Aho has participated in exhibitions in Finland since 2012 and internationally since 2014. His works and collaborative projects have been exhibited in Ars Electronica, UNTITLED Art Miami, the Royal Scottish Academy, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, Kerava City Art Museum Sinkka, Rovaniemi City Art Museum Korundi and Turku City Art Museum WAM.

Information

Artwork finished in: 2018

Dimensions of the work: 5m x 4m x 3.5m. the work size can be customized

Spaces suitable for exhibiting the work: Cold space (eg. a shed, a silo etc.), Semi-heated space, Heated space

Work’s durability: Sub-zero temperatures, Humidity

Requirements for the space: dark (gleaming exit-lights etc. allowed), dim (light enough for walking), light (normal indoor lighting)

Colouring requirements: insignificant

Electricity consumption: Standard mains current (10A/16A)

Support and other structures: The work includes all the necessary structures, except for 4x7 kg bags of sand to hold the work down.

Required technology: 

Sound: no sound, the artwork makes some noice through the air blower

Minimum height of the space: 3.5m

Minimum square meters of the space: 20

Building time and people required (estimate): 3 days + artist and 1 assistant

Artist's presence: Artist or their representative must be present during building

On-site building: Assembled on-site