Kwade (b. 1979), who lives and works in Berlin, is one of the most interesting and sought-after artists in international contemporary art. His sculptures and installations often focus on experiencing time and space and the essence of reality.
The works will be unveiled at a public event on Tuesday 7.6. at 1:30 p.m. The event begins at the Parrulaituri in Kalasatamanpuisto with the unveiling of the first work, after which you will move to the stairs leading to the beach in Capellanranta 2 for the unveiling of the second. The works will be published by the Mayor of Helsinki Juhana Vartiainen. The artist herself, Alicja Kwade, will be present at the event.
Located on the berth, Big Be-Hide consists of natural stone and a metallic replica of it placed symmetrically on either side of a double-sided mirror. Depending on how it is approached, the mirror either reflects or creates the illusion of transparency; it both hides and complements. The environment reflected in the mirror creates a portal between landscapes and reality.
The work makes us reflect on the similarities and differences as well as the possibilities of parallel worlds. According to Alicja Kwade, our everyday world is based on the social agreements we create through our observations. Our understanding of reality and of what we consider to be absolute truths is erroneous because it is based on the limitations of our senses.
Pars Pro Toto consists of eight planet-like stone balls. For the Helsinki edition of the work, the artist primarily chose Nordic rock types. The stones show their ancient process, age and passage of time. The Latin name of the work, Pars Pro Toto, ‘part of the whole’, expresses one dimension of the work: from the atoms to the solar system, the structures of the universe are constantly repeated. The existence of individuals is the opposite of the massive scale of time and matter.
Kwade’s works explore our relationship to nature, our place in the universe, and constant change as broader philosophical questions. They challenge us to question our observations and understanding of the surrounding reality.
Kwade’s works coming to the Helsinki art collection are curated by the HAM Helsinki Art Museum. The acquisition of the works was made possible by the Percent for Art principle, which is followed in Helsinki and, for example, in the building of the Kalasatama area. The Kalasatama environmental art project implements permanent and temporary art and events in co-operation with the City Government, the Urban Environment Industry and the Helsinki Culture and Leisure Industry, as well as the HAM Helsinki Art Museum. The environmental art project is funded by an area-based fee charged to developers in the area.
Source: City of Helsinki Department of Culture and Leisure