Nina Rantala

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2019
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2015
2009
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2002

“Latva” is a site specific project about perceiving city space. It consists of eight sculptures in five different places, seven guided walking tours throughout Helsinki’s city centre and a web page (www.latva.fi). The selected locations are undefined borderlands that are near well-transited pedestrian walkways. Some of these locations will undergo massive urban changes in the near future.

The work describes the line between the sky and the buildings. We have chosen different kinds of landscapes and environmental coincidences in every sculpture. They are anamorphic sculptures that are revealed to the viewer from one particular standpoint. Next to each sculpture is a sign that describes the essence of the location and provides the viewer with the keys to observe the city space in new ways. Each sculpture traces the horizon with wood. They are each supported by two poles and a concrete block normally used for traffic signs.

Essential to the “Latva” project were seven guided walking tours that followed the eight sculptures. Each tour lasted two and-a-half hours. The theme of the tours was to walk in Helsinki and to take the opportunity to perceive and to make observations. We created exercises for the visitors so that they could focus on their senses and use them to perceive their surroundings. The task was to capture the essence of different places by engaging the senses, while at the same time making observations of historical and structural layers in the urban landscape. To enhance each moment of perception, we would also show old photographs and re-tell the history of different places. The tours were completed by viewer participation. During the tours we encouraged their stories, observations, feelings, perceptions and insights.