2.-6.10.
Vernissage: Tuesday, October 1, 5–8 PM

Opening hours:
October 2-4: 2–6 PM
October 5-6: 4–9 PM – The space will also host Asbestos Ars Festival III

The clearcutting has just ended and this is finally a protected area. Over there, the sun wraps around the shield barked deadwood and a couple of Pycnoporellus fulgens. The Cladonia norvegica is returning, so other species are sure to follow.

This exhibition is the first of the three-part Siimes – katve series. The growing collection of hand-knotted ryas highlights the undisturbed and slow-growing conditions required by endangered species in the forests, along with the resulting increase in these species’ populations. The ryas reflect various species growing in the forest and bring to the exhibition space potential habitats of species that are threatened or have already been destroyed by

logging, new construction areas and unsustainable forest management. The ryas do not depict species or environments in a photorealistic way but convey an impression of their essence and movement.

Hele Okkonen (b. 1992) is a visual artist living in Helsinki. They practice a slow way of working, doing differently, and multi-species sustainable collaboration. In their work, Okkonen explores movement, the experience of not belonging, and various sensory experiences through the haptic nature of their pieces. Through soft materiality, they aim to evoke awareness of various

forms of diversity and the issues surrounding biodiversity loss. Okkonen is studying fine arts at the Arts Academy of Turku University of Applied Sciences. They graduated from Art School Maa in 2020.

Website: heleokkonen.com

Accessibility of the space:

The space is located in the basement and accessible via five (5) narrow steps. There is a small restroom available for visitors.