Art Program for Lasihytti Area in Espoo Is Ready
The Art Program of Lasihytti describes the principles for public art acquisition in Lasihytti and proposes main sites where art could be situated.
The planning of new Lasihytti neighbourhood on the South side of Kauklahti train station is currently underway. If realised as planned, the former industrial area will become a cosy urban village with housing for 4000 new residents. As part of the ongoing planning process, the public art program for the area was realised in collaboration with the City of Espoo, EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art and Public Art Agency Finland. The aim of the art program is to offer unexpected encounters as well as to cherish both the rich industrial history of the area and the uniqueness of the local riverside and its nature.
Lasihytti is planned to be a cosy urban village. Image: Arkkitehdit Anttila & Rusanen.
As the name Lasihytti hints the area’s history is tightly connected especially with glass manufacturing (lasi means glass in Finnish). Through art this heritage can be carried up, even though majority of the old factory buildings will have to be demolished due to their poor condition. Art can aid to make the different historical layers present in the future Lasihytti area. In the art program site-specificity and responsibility are highlighted as the base for art acquisitions in Lasihytti.
Lasihytti is known for glass manufacturing. Workers in the Kauklahti glass factory in 1948. Image: KAMU Espoo City Museum, Mauno Mannelin, CC BY-ND 4.0.
Location-wise permanent art works are suggested to be situated in public spaces. The possible sites for art are divided in three main categories. The first category includes the main routes in and trough the area such as the underpasses on the train station and the three main walking and biking paths through the area. The second category contains sites that are special or relevant in regards of the forming cityscape such as the Espoojoki riverside and the spot between the train station and the buss terminal. Thirdly, art could be situated within close proximity of the public services such as the local kindergarten and the Lillbassinaukio square in front of it, or in the three main roundabouts, in which one already has an art work.
Different places for art suggested in the art program. Image: Art Program of Lasihytti.
The materials, mediums and technical execution of the art works are not defined in the art program. Public art in the future Lasihytti could vary from immaterial socially-engaged art works to landmark-type sculptures or art pieces consisting of multiple parts accompanying residents in their everyday journeys.
In the art program, it is suggested that a local working group following and guiding the realisation and execution of the public art acquisition would be formed. This multidisciplinary group would choose the artists for each site based on EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art’s curatorial advice and preparation. The realisation of the art works could take place simultaneously with the planning and construction processes.
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