PHOENIX, 2022
Koivutori, Vantaa
Vantaa Art Museum Collections
"Phoenix" is a total artwork consisting of a bird shape painted on the asphalt, feather-like Gobo lighting, seating areas placed in the square, and related cherry tree plantings.
Comissioner: Seija Tulonen and Satu Onnela, Vantaa Public Utility Services Centre
Curator: Anne Kaarna, Vantaa Art Museum
Lighting Design: Ari Tiilikainen, LITE Designs Oy
Metalwork: Jukka Merta, Selki-Asema oy
Construction, street painting, earthworks: Tieliuska Oy
Electrical Design and Implementation: Tony Nelin, SEU
Collaboration with: Koivukylä Community Space Kirnu
The Koivutorin square is a key thoroughfare and gathering place in the multicultural Koivukylä area. Based on events and surveys organized for residents, their wishes for the now dilapidated and uninviting square were mapped out. Key desires that emerged during the meetings included improvements to lighting, safety, comfort, and functionality. The transformation of the square was planned in collaboration with the Koivukylä Community Space Kirnu.
The theme of the Phoenix artwork is multiculturalism, particularly from the perspective of stories and traditions. The subject is the Phoenix bird, which ignites itself to renew. This metaphor of rebirth and immortality appears in various forms across numerous cultural stories and products of popular culture.
In Japanese culture, the cherry tree, with its brief blooming period, represents renewal, optimism, and appreciation for fleeting moments. The cherry blossom festival, Hanami, celebrating the arrival of spring, is a significant communal event, conveying the importance of beauty and enjoying the moment.
The painted Phoenix bird on the street creates a landmark for the square, offering a narrative platform shared by many cultures. Through a simplified yet decorative form, the aim is to create a visually striking and community-friendly area.
The rebirth of the Phoenix and the swift blooming of the cherry trees symbolize new beginnings. At Koivutori, these can be thought of as relating to the concrete renewal of the place, as well as the new encounters that arise through the blending of traditions, leading to the emergence of a unique culture.
During the day, the white bird painted on the black asphalt dominates the Koivutori square, transforming the mundane environment into something more decorative and creating a strong contrast with the surrounding architecture. The shape is designed so that it does not directly associate with only one cultural tradition, but serves as a reference to many visual languages. The decorative form allude to calligraphy, textile and clothing adornments, aesthetics of popular cultures, or even tribal tattoos. The goal is for the visual aspect of the square to resonate with as many residents as possible.
The cherry tree benches and seating areas placed in the square are part of the Phoenix painting. As the trees grow large, they define the space for relaxation and activities. Through the blooming of the trees, a new tradition can be established, celebrating spring for the area’s residents.
The well ring tables at the edge of the forest belong to the tail’s decorations. The cherry trees with benches are located in the body area of the Phoenix, where the red hues of the tree leaves and flowers blend with the colors of the Phoenix’s plumage. The dominant red color of the artwork parallels the red brick cladding of the shopping center, reinforcing the area's identity. The red color was also a color preference expressed by the residents for the square.
At night, the Phoenix’s feathers “ignite.” Slowly flickering red feathers are projected over the white painting using Gobo profiles. The graphic decor of the day transforms into a warm, flickering play. The ornamentation of the square increases and activates it during the dark hours. In winter, the street painting fades away under the snow, leaving only the glowing feathers, which brings a sense of seasonal change to the square.