Kauniainen residents construct their own environmental artwork

Next weekend, a community environmental artwork, Rhythm, will be planted in the garden city of Kauniainen. It will consist of more than 20,000 white and orange tulips. The residents of Kauniainen will create the artwork themselves by planting the flower bulbs.

“The actual purpose of Rhythm, aside from adorning the city space, is also to remind people that it belongs to every resident. Through our own positive actions, each one of us can make our city more beautiful, open and happy,” says Eeva Kaisa Berry, the environmental artist from BOTH Creative Design Agency.

Rhythm will be planted on the overgrown hillside in front of Vallmogård, which is also visible from Kauniainen railway station, and which local people have wanted tidied up. The tulips will bloom in the spring of 2012, when a sunny picnic will perhaps be held on the hill, hammocks hung between the trees, and the finishing touches to the artwork put with a poet. While the work is in flower, the hillside will serve as a temporary park.

Invitation to city residents

All the people of Kauniainen are invited to the planting events, from babies to grandads. On Friday 30 September, schoolchildren help to beautify their city, and on Saturday 1 October, the arena is open to all the people of Kauniainen.

Kauniainen City Gardener Emmi Silvennoinen will also be in attendance and available to discuss the development of outdoor spaces in Kauniainen to become happier places. There will also be a public presentation on environmental art on Saturday.

There are no alternative plans in case of bad weather, so please dress suitably for the weather conditions. Planting is muddy work. The terrain of the planting event is suitable for children and manageable in rubber boots. Planting gloves will be provided on site.

“The core of this work is in making people feel good. They can come here for the whole day or pop round to plant a single bulb,” Berry says.

Music, balloons and pulla

Kauniaisten musiikkiopisto [Kauniainen school of music] in Vallmogård is also contributing to Saturday’s planting session. The Madrigal Choir, the women’s choir Hele and KaumoSax will all perform on the hill. Entertainmentwise, too, the arena is open to all – you can bring your accordion to the hill if you like.

As well as music, the planting event promises coffee, pulla and balloons for the youngest members of the family. Those taking part in the planting events will also be given bulbs to take home.

Programme

Friday 30 September

Planting 9-15

Saturday 1 October

9.30 Presentation on environmental art
10.oo Planting starts
11.00 Madrigal Choir and women’s choir Hele, dir. Raisa Lahtiranta
11.30 KaumoSax, dir. Markku Kopisto
12.00 Madrigal Choir and women’s choir Hele, dir. Raisa Lahtiranta
12.30 KaumoSax, dir. Markku Kopisto