Children and young people show their creative image of a sustainable future.
Exhibition 29.9 - 27.10, at the Nordic institute on Åland. Art curator Art Agenda 2030.
1. Don't lose hope, Wilma Groos (AX)
Acrylic, 40 x 80 cm.
Bumblebees are one of my favorite insects and are important to both nature and us humans. The number of bumblebees fell by half last year, and only continues to decline. We must live in symbiosis with the bumblebees. We must give them what they need in order for them to save us.
The amount of bees and insects that our planet needs to survive will hopefully begin to increase again soon.
2. Insects, Ålands lyceum (AX)
Inspired by Wilma Groos work ”Förlora inte hoppet” (Don´t loose hope) has 19 students in the study section Sculpture at the Åland Lyceum created works on the theme of flying insects. The awareness of endangered species and the knowledge of the phenomenon of insect death have been included during the work.
The sculptures’ basic construction is made of chicken wire, steel wire, newspaper and wallpaper paste. In addition to that, the students have worked with materials that they felt were appropriate for visualizing wings, among other things. The
sculptures have been painted with acrylic paint.
The following students have contributed works:
Frida Andberg, Alexander Andersson, Nathalie Dahl, Lisa Eckerman, Angelina Eklund, Elise Gästgivar, Wilma Helin, Ella Holmström, Viggo Johansson, Elsa Lindman, Lisa Lundin, Amandus Löfström, Lisette Meltsas, Felix Möller, Moa Nordlund, Melissa Renfors, Denise Rönnblad, Amanda Walldén, Hanna Westerdahl.
3. The Face of Future, Yuvia Maini (SE)
A digital Face filter implemented on Instagram.
My artwork interprets 17 goals that are somehow related to the future, and to the future that those goals create. In the artwork, these goals move, play, interact with your face, but also with each other.
Many goals influence each other and are truly synergistic. If we had more global equality, it would create a more equal global future, which in turn would help climate legislation, women’s equality, the status of girls, bring food security, etc. If we had better climate legislation, we could better prevent the loss of nature, adapt to extreme weather phenomena and it could even affect the reduction of hunger. If we had fewer conflicts, there would be fewer wars. We are in the middle of this and we have the power to influence. Raising awareness of the Global Goals is the first step!
4. Beloved Sisterhood, Smilla Jovine (SE)
Watercolor.
25,4 x 17,8 cm (50,8x35,6)
The road to an equal world is long. The current situation of women in the world must change. Along with obligations and responsibilities there must be freedom and choice.
The work shows the dream of future sisterhood in a playful and colorful way.
5. Ex-Organic Sticks, Salla Kuoppamaa (FI)
Wood and plastic.
Ex-Organic Sticks are sticks collected from the forest, which have been brought outside, cleaned and wrapped in plastic. The former organic, compostable material has been transformed by humans into waste material. The wooden material of the work has been washed away from decay, and its natural decomposition has been stopped with a plastic-based substance.
Nordic minimalism, Scandinavian design, Protestant church art and berry painting inspire the way the work is made and presented. Ex-Organic in process Nordic tree way of eternity. The work examines the work of a woman. Gathering and cleaning from the forest is seen as a female-dominated activity, while sticks have masculine symbolism.
6. The Darkside of Mother Earth , SantiYago Delgado (FI)
Bronze and concrete
40x30x20 cm
We live in a time where we do not respect Mother Earth. In the process we awakened a sleeping giant and as a result we have to witness its power to flood, shake, storm and destroy.
Mother Earth, our planet is like at war with humanity. In this war, no nuclear weapons or bullets are used, only the forces of nature. The artwork ¨The Darkside of Mother Earth¨ describes these forces of our planet.
It is time to bring this ”war” into the light so that in the future we can reach a common understanding with our planet.
Now, if ever, is the time to go back to where we started and clean up our trash so we can live together with this giant we call planet earth.
7. Freedom. Forssa bildkonstskola/smyckesgrupp (FI)
Recycled materials – the most visible are fabric masks and balls.
Anni Helin, Lempi Lintukorpi, Siida Moberg, Jasmin Nikkanen, Adelia Tamminen ja Emma Viherä. Opettajana Teija Lauronen
In recent years, people have had to hide their personalities behind the corona crisis. People have been deprived of their freedom to live in a certain way by restricting their movement and demanding protection against the corona, of course for their own health and that of others.
The artwork - Freedom reflects young people’s breaking away from the restrictions of the corona era. It represents a new beginning and hope for a healthy and prosperous life now and in the future, in adulthood. The recycling jewelry plays with recycled materials and fabric masks. Even trash can create beauty and joy for people.
8. Planet Earth and its residents, Ia Aikala (FI)
Poem.
The work is an unadorned description of humanity’s current actions regarding climate change and the realization of sustainable development.
The work describes how we are guided today by greed, money and hope for a better future, even though in reality that future may not even exist. The work tells the story of how nothing was ever about greed but about coming together. The work ends with the wistful conclusion that we have truly forgotten who we are and where we come from.
The poem describes the UN’s sustainable development goal 17, Cooperation and partnership. It is the most important of the goals, because none of the other goals can be realized if cooperation does not arise between people. I imagine the world of the future as a place where all the goals of sustainable development come true, because one day we finally decided to band together and dared to face the problems together. The future in which this goal is realized is full of hope, love and sustainable decisions, because humanity and the will to come together in our hearts have kept our humanity standing since the beginning of time.
We can’t do it alone, that’s always been the number one rule of our survival.
9. The Same Differences, Java Hjelm Hansson (SE)
Watercolor
For me, equality is that everyone can feel free and safe and can feel that they are part of society and can really take the place they deserve.
We are all part of one and the same person in a way, yet we are so different and that’s why I want to show my idea with human hands and fingers. They are all the same but so different. No matter who you are, you should be treated the same. In the future, everyone should be able to be who they are, without fear, without shame, just be.
10. Mahdollisuus (possible), Sylvia Ruusila (FI)
Acrylic painting
46 cm x 38 cm (115x95)
The work describes our time, how the climate is changing rapidly and for the worse. At the same time, it describes our possibilities to influence the situation. It describes a change in our ways of acting and being.
Many of us are working for change, but bigger actions and more actors are urgently needed.
Many animal species suffer greatly from climate change, even though they are not the cause of it. The same also applies to natural environments, which are constantly being destroyed due to climate change. Climate change touches and will touch the everyday life and culture of more and more people. I hope that the suffering of people, nature and animals would decrease.
One of my biggest wishes is that in the future there would be no more talk of climate change or at least its worsening, because in the future development would have already gone for the better and climate change would have been stopped. We would be able to focus on positive development.
The opportunity is in our own hands.
11. Barnet's House, House's Child. Kristine Groven (NO)
Poem.
The work aims to shed light on society and how it affects us. How we should all take our place there, whether we are poor or rich, hungry or full, male or female, old or young, well-educated or not, no matter what country you come from.
We are society’s children - the society we grow up in teaches us how to be. Society is ours - we decide what it will teach us.
The poem is a criticism of society, especially a criticism of how little change is taking place. Everything we are promised but don’t get. This applies to everything from the climate crisis to education and to clean water.
This is what I would like to see change in the future. I would like to see that those of us who have resources to such an extent that we take them for granted can share them with those who do not.
Working together for a society that accommodates everyone, no matter who they are. Where everyone can have opportunities and not be limited by money, food, water, education or gender.
12. For the future, Sigrid Dahlsten and Linn Kyllönen (AX)
Video.
The artwork shows some of the problems in the world but also what we can do about these problems or maybe how to solve these problems or at least make them a little smaller.
The artwork relates to goal 1. You can help to reduce poverty by talking about it, giving clothes, things and money to charity. Goal no 2. No one should be hungry. Every student should also always get a free meal if the family are short of money and the children don’t get dinner. Goal no 14. For us who live surrounded by water it is important to keep our seas clean. Goal no 13. Climate change is real and we should all make everything to stop it. Choose the planet before unnecessary consumption and travelling. Goal no 16. Everyone should be living in peace. The old peaceful
solution for the conflict of the Åland Islands can be used even in these days.
We are uncertain and scared about the future, but we all have to be brave and do what we can do. Each one of us. Together we can reach the goals for Agenda 2030.
13. Tartuthan käteeni? Kuhmon kesätanssijat (FI)
Video.
Dansare/Tanssijat: Jenna Haapalehto, Kaisa Kilpeläinen, Eeva Kähkönen, Elli Mikkonen, Ronja Ruskosammal. Dansinstruktör Heli Lounila. Film och klippning: Aleksi Kiirikki och Miikka Polvinen.
Key perspectives in this work of art are the significance of close people, hopefulness and the fact that no one is left behind.
Hopefully, in the future, support and help will be easily available if needed, for example for mental health problems or bullying at school. A good foundation for life is created if children and young people have enough safe adults around them, even the one who has time to face them as individuals.
What does well-being mean? What does well-being feel like and how does it feel when things are not well in terms of well-being? What enables our well-being? Close ones? Health? Surroundings? Life’s chances?
14. Conflict within me, Janna Ratavaara (FI)
Video.
The art work comments on how person can see ones future and actions.
How we use natural resources and how we see the harm we are doing to our planet? Should we do something, listen, and acknowledge the harm we are causing or turn a blind eye to relieve our anxiety.
I believe each of us has these two sides. We can be naive and indifferent about it, but we should listen to our realistic side. Even though many think that one person cannot do anything, the change starts from us.
In the end, we choose the future we want. What we are going to do, to get a little closer to that future?
First step is to see and listen - to be present.
15. What the future gives, Milla Pettersson (SE)
Acrylic on canvas, 50 x 40 cm
Windows to the future.
Each building has different colored windows. The colors symbolize each of the 17 goals of Agenda 2030. It reminds everyone that one should try to work towards all goals so that everyone has a better future.
16. Sun and Algae, Matilde Wedzicha (NO)
Plaster with pigment on electrical lamp.
The Sun, the force that breeds life. The heat is rising and the lifegiver turns into a lifetaker.
Algae, corals, life in the sea. The colors fade before our eyes.
Turn on the light, let the truth show. Not until we discontinue the oil industry, stop greenwashing and finally replace capitalism with a circular economy, can we truly see the colors again.
Some of the works in the exhibition are for sale. Please contact the staff at NIPÅ if you are interested in any work.