T R A C E - As if cut in stone , 2020
Kerava State Prison, Finnish State Art Deposit Collection, Finnish National Gallery
Material: Wildflower meadow, boulders, wooden arm- & legrests, sandblasted texts
Size: Various - 5 x ~1,5m3
The large-scale stones found on the prison's construction site were used to create resting stones, places of reflection, in the arms of which you can travel elsewhere for a moment with the help of your imagination. Each seating stone is sandblasted with a combination of words related to nature, a natural phenomenon, which can be used to make your mind travel - to take a small break from the surrounding life, the daily life of the prison. The texts have been thought out in collaboration with the prisoners. The stones were fitted with wooden arm- and footrests to make the stay more comfortable.
In the history of Kerava Prison, agriculture has played a major role as a rehabilitative factor, as prisoners have been responsible for farming activities and small-scale keeping of farm animals. With the completion of the new prison, this activity waned. Rehabilitative work focuses on urban solutions and small-scale box farming. The wildflower seedlings sown in the yard serves as an important area for pollinators and can therefore benefit small-scale farming by prisoners. Flowers and insects provide stimuli, colors, scents and sounds to the senses. The work will also involve the prisoners through maintenance of the meadow and thus brings back a bit of the relationship with nature that is lost due to major changes in the prison.
Kerava State Prison, Finnish State Art Deposit Collection, Finnish National Gallery
Material: Wildflower meadow, boulders, wooden arm- & legrests, sandblasted texts
Size: Various - 5 x ~1,5m3
The large-scale stones found on the prison's construction site were used to create resting stones, places of reflection, in the arms of which you can travel elsewhere for a moment with the help of your imagination. Each seating stone is sandblasted with a combination of words related to nature, a natural phenomenon, which can be used to make your mind travel - to take a small break from the surrounding life, the daily life of the prison. The texts have been thought out in collaboration with the prisoners. The stones were fitted with wooden arm- and footrests to make the stay more comfortable.
In the history of Kerava Prison, agriculture has played a major role as a rehabilitative factor, as prisoners have been responsible for farming activities and small-scale keeping of farm animals. With the completion of the new prison, this activity waned. Rehabilitative work focuses on urban solutions and small-scale box farming. The wildflower seedlings sown in the yard serves as an important area for pollinators and can therefore benefit small-scale farming by prisoners. Flowers and insects provide stimuli, colors, scents and sounds to the senses. The work will also involve the prisoners through maintenance of the meadow and thus brings back a bit of the relationship with nature that is lost due to major changes in the prison.
