Northern Alps
Art Festival
As part of the Northern Alps Art Festival, I explore the theme of the forest by creating large-scale glass and brass sculptures inspired by the delicate flora of the forest floor. These imaginary plant forms are scaled up dramatically and respond to their natural surroundings through color, sound, and movement. Mosses, berries, and tiny blossoms become monumental — inviting the viewer into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
With this approach, I aim to recreate the sense of wonder and discovery that a child feels in the woods — a feeling that many adults have lost touch with. My work seeks to awaken that forgotten enchantment, encouraging a deeper connection with nature through scale, play, and transformation.
The glass elements for the installation were created in collaboration with skilled glassblowers in the historic Nuutajärvi Glass Village in Finland. By working with traditional crafts and techniques, we aim to revitalize and reimagine heritage craftsmanship within a contemporary art context.
The installation was on view in Ōmachi, Japan, from October 2021 as part of the festival’s 2020–2021 edition.
With gratitude to:
Northern Alps Art Festival Committee
Akira Minagawa
Hotshop team: Paula Pääkkönen, Otto Koivuranta, Sani Lappalainen, Jonas Paajanen, and Pauli Vähäsarja
Metal team: Kirsi Kokkonen and Maaria Pihlajamäki