Minna Väisänen: Matkamuistot / Souvenirs

Completion year: 2003

Technique: Environmental artwork

Souvenirs (Matkamuistot) is an environmental artwork located in Pukinmäki station area, Helsinki. Souvenirs consists of two different parts which both consist of several recycled car parts. The first part of the work is located in the beginning of Eskolantie and the second is near Malminkaari. On the grounds of a permission for minor construction the artwork can be in Pukinmäki train station for next five years.

The work consists of several artificial traffic signs made of plastic turn signals. The 'traffic signs' have been mounted on concrete walls on both ends of a subway at station area. The signs on the Malminkaari side have also aluminium legs. By choosing mostly recycledcar parts I want to comment the waste that car traffic makes upon earth. One the other hand I try to enliven the rather harsh train station with the artwork.
"I´ve lived in Pukinmäki for five years and wanted for a long time to make art here. My artwork was actually a test to local decision-makers: I wanted to see if it is possibile for an individual artist to bring one´s own art outdoors in Helsinki. Thus my artwork is actually a process even though the final artwork is naturally the most visible part of it."

Special thanks to Foundation for Environmental Art (Ympäristötaiteen säätiö), Pukinmäki association (Pukinmäkiseura) and other co-operators.

Artist's page