Susu Rytteri and the Metsäkissa2044 Group: In the Forest's Protection - A Multisensory Exhibition and Event

In the Forest's Protection is a multisensory exhibition and event that explores the values and future of the forest through art, science, and participation. The whole is the culmination of the two-year Metsäkissa2044 project, funded by the Kone Foundation.

Visual artist and biologist Susu Rytteri builds a monumental work "Utopia from the Forest" in the Kanneltalo gallery, where a large flock of light rowan butterflies flies through a background plastered with clay mortar. Alongside this, a series of one hundred drawings titled "Tree of Life" and moving images are displayed. Musician Katja Luhtala creates a sound work "The Language of the Forest" for the exhibition. The exhibition also features the Legion Theatre's forest theatre collective led by Virpi Koskela, Luhtala's community art sound works, Antti Rajala and Aki Saariaho's utopian pedagogy, and Jukka Ilmonen's improvisation dialogue. You can explore the project's artistic and journalistic content at www.metsakissa.fi.

The accompanying programme includes workshops, discussions, and performances:

Saturday 15.8. 13-15: Jukka Ilmonen presents the results of the Metsäkissa2044 project.

Thursday 20.8. Night of the Arts:
17-17.30 Forest M - a moving and poetic sound work (Katja Luhtala & collective)
17.30-20 Forest Floor - a community art work (Susu Rytteri) - plus the chance to pet the Forest Cat!

Friday 21.8. 17-18 (auditorium): Forest Haiku Workshop (Katja Luhtala).

Saturday 22.8.:
13-15 Improvisation Dialogue (Jukka Ilmonen)
15-15.30 Artist Meeting: Susu Rytteri

Thursday 27.8. 17: Nature Collaboration Workshop (Virpi Koskela).

Friday 28.8.:
16-17.30 Utopian Pedagogy: lecture by Antti Rajala and Aki Saariaho
18-19.30 Forest Theatre Performance in the Forest (location to be confirmed; departure from Kanneltalo foyer at 18) - director and team discuss the process.

Saturday 29.8. Finland's Nature Day (gallery):
13-15 Round Table Discussion (Jaana Kanninen, including Anni Kytömäki)
15-15.30 Forest Heart - an ode to the nearby forest (Katja Luhtala & collective)