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Vappu Rossi: Generatio spontanea

The poetic animation shows an evolving shadow of a tree sapling.

Rossi’s poetic media artwork combines time lapse and stop motion animation. The work begins with light casting from a window, which shows shadows on a wall. As the sun rises, we see a shadow of a small tree sapling, magically growing as the day passes and the light travels. Instead of flowers, small birds emerge from flower buds. We see the passage of light during the day, from dawn to dusk. 
 

 

The theme of the work is the arc of life: a day begins, a day ends, and something small but miraculous might happen in between. The name of the artwork refers to an outdated scientific theory, that held that living creatures could arise from non-living matter.  

 

The original music is composed by award-winning Italian film composers Susan DiBona & Salvatore Sangiovanni.

 

An installation version and a screening version are available. The installation version is shown as a seamless loop. The artwork suits both indoor and outdoor locations. Best way to present the artwork is to project the installation version on a wall, in a way that the projection looks like natural light as much as possible. The screening version is framed to fit 16:9 screening and is available for screening purposes in those venues & occasions the looping projected version is not possible, or is not the best option.

Master of Fine Arts, b. 1976, lives in Helsinki, Finland

Information

Artwork finished in: 2024

Light sources, materials and equipment used: Video projector, sound monitors (stereo), media player.

Dimensions of the work. Approximate size will do. Please mention if the work can be adjusted. (width-height-depth): 4K and HD versions available. The projection area is somewhat square-shaped. 

Electricity consumption: ---

Does the artwork use sound? Ambient sound. Original music composed for the piece.

Support and other structures: ---

Structures, hardware or other equipment needed from the client: Video projector, sound monitors (stereo), media player. Can also be shown in a monitor or a screen, but projecting often the best choice.

Minimum height of the space: ---

Minimum square meters of the space: ---

Requirements for the space: darkness, temperature, colouring (light / dark / specific colour / other) etc.: Has to be relatively dark for projection. Inside location: preferably white or light coloured walls. Outside location: many options, can be projected to a wall of a building or fitted to urban space locations. 

Building time and people required (estimate): If projected, 1–2 people, 3h.

Artist's presence: Preferably installed in the presence of the artist. Guidance can be provided for building. 

Seen before at:
Installation version:
Vappu Rossi's solo exhibition, Gallery Halmetoja / LUX Helsinki Festival, Helsinki, Finland 2024. 
Aarhus Festuge, Aarhus, Denmark 2024
Screening version:
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal International Animation Film Festival, Canada 2024
Flight – Mostra Internazionale del Cinema di Genova, Italy 2024
Experimental Superstars, Novi Sad, Serbia 2024