News for the New Year!
Founder of Public Art Agency Finland, Maija Kovari, sheds light on her background in the field of public space art and opens up about the upcoming three-year period as the year 2023 approaches its conclusion.
Already a sculptor by education, I became interested in public space while studying architecture. Working in urban planning and design, I realized the plethora of opportunities at the intersection of art and urban space. I wanted to investigate these possibilities and open them up to others. Establishing my own company soon felt like the right path.
Transitioning from a design firm to an entrepreneur, my aim was twofold—to actualize my own works for public spaces and foster broader collaboration between contemporary art and the design industry. Over the past eight years, my company, Public Art Agency Finland, has coordinated dozens of public space art projects. Concurrently, I have completed seven of my own works placed in indoor or outdoor public spaces, with two more currently in progress. As this year comes to an end, it's time to narrow and focus my perspective.
Maija Kovari in her workspace. Photo: Elisa Niittylä
Starting on January 1, 2024, I will begin working with a three-year state artist grant. Over the years 2024–2026, I will concentrate on designing new works and engaging in writing. Works I've executed over recent years through competition victories and direct commissions have been dear to me, and I will continue this work with commissioned projects for public spaces. Alongside these, supported by the grant, I will explore new approaches to the relationship between public space and art through non-commersial design projects.
The writing work will take the form of an essay series. Drawing from my various roles in the field of public art, I will address phenomena encountered in my work from multidisciplinary perspectives. I will explore, for example, how quality can be perceived differently from various professional standpoints or how the price of art is understood in different situations.
During the grant supported research period, the business side of Public Art Agency Finland will be put on hold, and we will not initiate new projects such as art project coordination, art programs, or art competitions for the time being. Working on these projects has allowed me to meet many wonderful clients and work for meaningful public spaces in many ways. In our public spaces, the meanings and stories of people and society intersect, and I want to continue exploring these themes in the future. The grant period enables a renewed focus on this work from a fresh perspective, and I am truly excited about the upcoming season. Regarding the next steps afterwards, I will assess what the future holds towards the end of 2026.
Wishing everyone a relaxing Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!
Maija