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SAIVAARA MONUMENT. TAPIO WIRKKALA, 1978. FINNISH LAPLAND

 

 

In 1978, the Finnish artist Tapio Wirkkala (1915-85) designed the Memorial UKK, a Land Art plan for the Saivaara fell as homage to the long-term president of Finland Urho Kaleva Kekkonen (1900-86). The monument would consist in a straight east-west path built with stones gathered from the foot of the fell, which would guide the visitors towards its peak and thus reduce their harmfull impact on the surrounding nature. 

 

Due to the ignorance of its real intentions, the idea was unfairly criticized which leads to its refusal and forgetfulness. Thus, nowadays, there are only two sketches of the monument.

 

From the study of this material and the experience of the site, the aim of this project is to recover and develop this plan through the production of an unprecedented documentation based in models and drawings to show what Tapio Wirkkala truly wanted with the Saivaara Monument. The material produced in this project (2014-15) will be presented at the commemorations of the artist centenary birth (2015-16).

 

Summary also available in english/ finnish in the Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation Centenary website.

 

News about the project will be updated periodically. 

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