recent work

Return to Darkness VII

art, recent work


Wednesday: felting with Josefiina, Nina watching; photo by Reino Koivula

On Wednesday, we felted the first piece for the Terrastella before I got on the night ferry to Sweden. Meanwhile, Sören had collected the iron material so we spent the next three days in his boatyard; now the lower parts of the iron frame are set in position and level, as is the top ring. Next step will be to bend and fit together the upper parts – but first, I will be back to Åbo/Turku for a couple of weeks to continue felting.



raising the iron framework in Sören’s boatyard

Return to Darkness VI

art, recent work


samples of polyester; photo by Reino Koivula

Polyester on my mind… moulding these two small samples raises a lot of questions, so this morning I had to visit Terpol once more. Matti of course has answers to them all, and also helps out with material.

Next, I stop by at Åbo Akademi to catch up with some work for the Nomadic University, before returning to Barker. During the afternoon, Josefiina and I work hard laying out wool for a long piece of felt. Simo Helenius also comes by, and Reiska begins welding.

laying out wool with Josefiina; photo by Reino Koivula

Return to Darkness V

art, recent work

At Terpol company; photo by Reino Koivula

The round rug is drying, and I have prepared for the next.
On Friday, we visited Matti Suominen at Terpol company, who kindly provided us with good advice, polyester liquid and glassfibre fabric… I never tried these materials before. This may be just what we have been looking for.

Below is material laid out for Reino’s cot.


photo by Reino Koivula

Return to Darkness III

art, recent work

Arrived in Åbo/Turku night before yesterday, car packed with sacks of wool, electric heater and other items for felt-making.
Didn’t get the iron material in time, though – I’ll have to go back later to fetch it.

Unpacked and got installed yesterday. The working place is really good!

Today I started by felting a Flag of Darkness for Reiska’s miniature flagpole. We’re kind of stylish here…

photo by Reino Koivula

light stones, singing voices; Zadar

art, recent work, time-out

So, this is where the Nomadic University will gather in August, hosted by professors Robert Bacalja and Josip Zanki from Zadar University; the city with the most beautiful sunset in the world, according to Alfred Hitchcock. Where singing voices unexpectedly float out of churches, or streetside diners. Where stones are light and the sea clear and salt.
And in the nearby city of Nin, Josip shows me the world’s littlest cathedral, a shrine resonating the human voice like the body of an instrument. This I will not forget.


busy days; recognitions

art, recent work, teaching

Saturday, conducting a talk/dialogue at a seminar on spirituality in art (no, I wouldn’t lecture on that; but dialogue will show, unfailingly, how spiritual awareness is at hand);
Monday, presenting “terrastella” drawings for the Pimeyden Kodat/Darkness project and Turku 2011 Foundation;
Tuesday, preparing an exhibition at Vidarkliniken, Järna;
and today, if the volcanoes let me through, leaving for Zadar (Croatia) to plan for the next NUrope oasis.

Thank you, Anne Külper, Ulf Sand, Päivi Lönnberg, Robert Bacalja, Josip Zanki, Reiska and Bengt for your door-openings and invitations.