Set off on a time journey in Runosmäki!

After nine months of construction, the site-specific installation Aikamatka [Time journey] 20360 will open to the public on Saturday 1 March. A work of art created by two hundred volunteers has taken over a nearly 700-square-metre space, covering every surface from floor to ceili

Step inside a mesmerizing art journey through time!

Aikamatka 20360 opens on March 1 at 3 p.m. and is open though the spring and summer until 31st August. Free admission, suitable for people of all ages.

Read more and check the opening hours: Aikamatka 20360

Anyone could participate in creating the Aikamatka 20360 site-specific installation. According to Pia and Sophia Bartsch, the artistic coordinators of the project, the final result reflects the diversity of the participants and the unique imprint of each individual.

– Working towards a common goal can unite very different people. The working group has shared both moments of success and difficult life situations. They’ve also been able to take pride in the project’s success with a large group of people, the duo says with delight.

For many of the participants, creating art was an entirely new experience. For example, Taru Koskinen, who participated in the project with the Hangflow association, was surprised by the artistic side she discovered in herself through the project.

– Before taking part in the project, I didn’t think I had any artistic talent, but while working on Aikamatka, I realised there might be a small artist in me after all. Now that the project is over, I need to get some painting supplies for myself to use at home, Koskinen says.

Henkilö maalaa ruskeaseinäisen WC-tilan paperitelinettä Aikamatka 20360-tilataideteokseen. (Picture: Jussi Virkkumaa) — *Four members of the Hangflow youth association built rooms inspired by Maya and Aboriginal cultures in the restroom facilities.*
Image: Jussi Virkkumaa

Recycled materials put creativity to the test

Aikamatka 20360 is made almost entirely of recycled materials, gathered from the participants’ homes, businesses and online donations. The participants were able to harness their creativity in the use of materials.

Kristiina Keskitalo, who created a life-sized wild boar, says that you can find an old bucket, a bin and a wooden container inside the boar she built. The entire sculpture is covered in fabric cut from an old carpet.

– This project breathes new life into old objects. One can also get many ideas from other participants on how to take advantage of the materials available. It’s also fun to share with others that there’s an old wooden container inside the boar, Kristiina laughs.

Henkilö istuu lattialla rakentamassa paperimassasta ja kierrätysesineistä villisikaa Aikamatka 20360-teoksessa. (Picture: Jussi Virkkumaa) — *Kristiina Keskitalo, who has loved pigs since she was a child, knew from the beginning what she wanted to create for Aikamatka.*
Image: Jussi Virkkumaa

A wild boar and a goat made of recycled materials are included in the Aikamatka 20360 piece, in the background there is another goat and a stone age landscape painted on the wall. (Picture: Jussi Virkkumaa) — *A wild boar named Eino lives in the Stone Age room of the installation.*
Image: Jussi Virkkumaa

According to Pia and Sophia Bartsch, the group invested in a piece made temporary as it would last for forever. The love participants put in the process shines though the end result.

– I also hope this will inspire the audience and show them that creating art doesn’t require large studios or expensive materials – much can be accomplished with just recycled cardboard and newspapers. You can create almost anything from trash!