On the light traffic lane near the shopping center Tripla, next to the train track, there is a sight that has made many rub their eyes.
In a rock cut, at a height of a few meters, the back of a blue-framed bicycle crashes. The rest of the fillar has sunk deep into the crevices of the rock. In addition, the rear wheel spins fast, as if something had just happened.
The first thing that comes to mind about the situation is the absurd bicycle accident, and that’s what this is really about. Artist Markku “Sika” Puustisen Cyclist– environmental art work got its initial impetus when he was working on the same light traffic Needle– work.
– It was full of cyclists at high speed, especially during rush hour. A passer-by thought that they might still hit a rock at some point. I thought that for a moment, the wheel to the rock…
Puustinen got a scrap bicycle from that seat, from which he removed the chains and the front wheel. After that, he cut the passing game in half with a puck.
– I made the rear wheel really sensitive and added small wings to it. In windy weather, the rear wheel spins, and even in the forward direction.
Surprising environmental art
In recent years, Markku Puustinen has realized his art around Helsinki. Several pieces of work have been created this year. A cyclist and A needle in addition, there is a towering natural stone building on Töölönlahti Sect and those close to it Kalatira. There is also a mini-sized hydroelectric plant near them Hugowhich Puustinen built already in 2019.
– Good environmental art means that people notice it. At the same time, it is also close to humans. My own works are in no way pretentious: they include jokes and fun, but there is also a clear message in the background. Good environmental art includes surprise, Puustinen defines.
There is something surprising about Puustisinen’s works: they appear to be admired by the townspeople without prior warning and as a result of a little anarchy. The city of Helsinki does not order art from Puustine, but he creates it on his own initiative.
– The city will contact me very quickly if someone complains about one of my works. I will give an explanation and after this there will be a decision stating that the work does not cause any harm or harm to anyone. I personally take care that my art does not harm the environment or people.
About playing with proportions and absurd situations Cyclist– and Needle -works are strongly reminiscent of surrealism, which Puustinen himself signs.
– It has been said about some of my works that they are not art. I have a simple answer to this: it’s not about utility items either.
Dyeing requires technical skills
Markku Puustinen has worked as an entrepreneur in the construction industry. This has been very useful for the career of an environmental artist: Puustisinen’s works have required technical know-how.
– It is important to know about electronics and manual skills must also be in order. If you realize something, you can implement it with the help of technical know-how. If there is no technical know-how, there will be no insight either.
But why then does Puustinen want to color the cityscape with his unique and special environmental art?
– Answering this question would require psychology, psychiatry, anthropology and so on. I have been coloring and realizing everything possible since I was a child. Along with my other work, I have been doing all this for fifty years.
Since Puustisinen’s works are in public places, they may be tampered with. For example, someone had recently gone to twist A cyclist in the opposite direction of the saddle. Puustinen approaches this kind of activity with a gentle attitude.
– It was someone else’s view of my artwork, and yes I accept that. By the way, these works of mine haven’t been destroyed much.
In addition to Puustisinen’s works, Helsinki also has environmental art commissioned by the city.
However, Helsinki does not have a separate strategy for environmental art, because environmental art as a form of visual art is part of the collection policy of the Helsinki City Art Collection. It is managed by Helsinki Art Museum HAM, whose art collection has a very significant part of public art. The line between public art and environmental art is also often blurred.
Environmental art has been widely presented in Helsinki in connection with the Helsinki Biennale. It is organized and curated by HAM and rotating curators selected by HAM. The biennale is closely connected to Vallisaari’s nature and man’s relationship with nature. Read more about the attached stories.
