March is the month of awakening light and Minna Canth. The exhibition began to build around the sculpture of Canth. Its sculptor, Pekka Kontio, had named his work “Valonkantaja” (the Bearer of Light) in 1961, entering it in a public sculpture competition. The sculpture came second in the competition.
The second sculpture in the exhibition is Leena Turpeinen-Kitula's bronze scarab called “Kriitikko” (Critic). In ancient Egypt, the scarab beetle was considered sacred. Because the beetle rolled the dung, lived and reproduced in it, people saw it as a symbol of life. The beetle spinning the dung ball was thought to make the sun rise, thus sustaining the light of life.
Light is power
Both science and art can be seen as a human effort: through our work, our thinking, and our instincts, we strive towards light and wisdom, strive to preserve and promote life. Therefore, the symbols of the exhibition are “Critic” and “the Light Bearer”. Colorful paintings and colored graphics surround the above-mentioned sculptures.
Spring light awakens nature to growth after the darkness and coldness of winter. Humans perceive the different wavelengths of light as colors. Putting together this exhibition has been an intuitive search for light and power. It was inspired by the visual arts collections of our university. I hope the light will come through and wake you up, too.
The exhibition is curated by Lecturer Kerttu Korhonen.
The exhibition will be on display from 5.3.-31.3.2025 in the main building's hallway. The main building is open: mon-fri 7.30-18.30.
