Takaisin maahan

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Unfired hand-built wild clay from Utsjoki, native plants

width 70 cm
 

This site-specific work draws its inspiration from the landscape of Utsjoki, particularly the scenery of the Nivajoki, as well as from the book Ealli Biras, edited by Päivi Magga and Eija Ojanlatva. The publication presents the Sámi Cultural Environment Programme and explores the relationship between Sámi culture and the environment.

     One particularly striking premise of the programme is the observation that traditional Sámi landscapes are often considered too untouched to qualify as cultural heritage sites, yet simultaneously too shaped by human presence to fall under nature conservation. Historically, many structures—such as hunting pits and turf huts—were small and made entirely from natural materials. Over time, they have nearly disappeared, leaving behind only subtle mounds or depressions in the ground.

     Today, humanity claims vast amounts of space and leaves behind overwhelming quantities of material. Yet within our roots lies a simple and reciprocal coexistence with the environment. Some cultures simply need to look further back than others to reconnect with this understanding.

     The work is constructed from unfired clay collected in Utsjoki. Throughout the exhibition, the piece gradually disintegrates, and in the spring the material will be returned to nature, completing its cycle.

This sculpture is part of a larger exploration called

Photos: Vertti Virasjoki & Mira Niittymäki