Leena Kangaskoski: Hiekkahippuhohde

The work Hiekkahippuhohde (‘Sand Grain Glow’) is part of a three piece installation by Leena Kangaskoski (born 1982) located in the Daycare Centre Hopealaakso in Kruunuvuorenranta, Helsinki. Hiekkahippuhohde consists of several glass shapes mouth-blown into moulds. The pieces of glass poking through the wall are like jewels rising from the depths of the earth. The mineral deposit on the second floor rising wall is a reminder of the wonders of nature crystallising over time. Glass consists mostly of fine sand that melts under intense heat and becomes a material that shimmers in the light.

Kangaskoski based her art pieces on the history of Hopealaakso: The area – named ‘Silver Valley’ in Finnish – was home to a silver mine in late 18th century, and many minerals have been discovered in the area aside from silver, such as chalcopyrite, zinc pyrite, calcite, galena and sphalerite. Kangaskoski’s pieces bring a throw-back to the last centuries’ local history into the everyday of the daycare centre, but also parallel our day-to-day conception of time with geological time.

Part of Helsinki Art Museum HAM’s art collection.

HAM Curators: Kristiina Ljokkoi and Aleksandra Kiskonen
Glass-blowing: Kari Alakoski & Marja Hepo-Aho, assistant Tiia Tirronen
Photos: Sonja Hyytiäinen ©HAM
Architecture: AFKS Arkkitehdit