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Entries ‘bio.modules.way’ and ‘Quantum Moss’ share the first prize in the Aalto University campus art competition, the aim of which was to get feasible proposals for works of public art to the Otaniemi campus.

The winning entries reflect Aalto University’s unique combination of science, technology, business and art and both are rooted in fields where the university is strong, bioart and quantum physics.  They may propose questions like: Should public art be easily understandable for everyone or is the aim of public artworks rather to create questions?

According to the competition jury, the ‘Quantum Moss’ by Laura Piispanen and Noora Heiskanen creates a new kind of graffiti, which inhabits the building. A temporary artwork poses questions on the lifespan of a public artwork. The ‘bio.modules.way’ by Jenna Ahonen and Ayda Grisiute has a lot of potential and creates enthusiasm. The proposal poses questions of materiality and focuses on sustainability. The artwork also changes in various seasons.

The jury decided to give both proposals a prize of EUR 3 500. A mentoring group will be formed which will develop the proposals further with the artists. The members of the jury are as follows:

Ossi Naukkarinen, Vice President, Aalto University (chair)
Eeti Ahola, Student, School of Engineering, Student Union representative
Ville Jokela, Managing Director, Aalto Campus & Real Estate (Aalto CRE)
Julia Lohmann, Professor, School of Art, Design and Architecture
Elisa Mekler, Professor, School of Science
Aapo Pihkala, Project Manager, Aalto University
Alice Wickström, Doctoral Student, School of Business

Aalto University art coordinator Outi Turpeinen coordinated the project.

18 proposals submitted to the competition

The public art competition aimed to find art proposals for Otaniemi outside the campus area. Its themes focused on sustainability, radical creativity and entrepreneurship, from the university’s new strategy. The competition ran between 1 June and 30 September, and during this time, 18 anonymous proposals were submitted. It was open to all Aalto community members: students, staff and academics.

The aim of public art throughout Aalto University is to create a vibrant environment for experiencing the world through various perspectives and embracing imagination, intuition and exploration. Contemporary public art often raises critical questions about history, the present and the future.

Read more:

Public art collections at Aalto University

Campus art competition open to the whole Aalto community seeks works for outdoor areas

More information: 

Outi Turpeinen
Aalto University, Art Coordinator
outi.turpeinen@aalto.fi, 050 4314194