Seela Petra's new work will make you smile
Seela Petra, known better for her work with graphic art and printmaking, celebrated the completion of her first public art work this autumn in Tapiola. The scenes taking over the bike parking are enlarged images of Seela Petra’s drawings.
The work, consisting of 69 different characters, takes over a bike parking area, built for over 400 bicycles, that opened opened in Espoo, Tapiola on Thursday, 24 October. The characters create overlapping, heartwarming stories that bring the whole space a new identity. The work is called, One Day.
The process was coordinated by Public Art Agency Finland, in collaboration with the city of Espoo and EMMA Espoo museum of Modern Art.
The artist Seela Petra presented the work and the stories behind the characters in the opening on 24. October 2019, with the dancer Emilia Lindbohmin (pictured).
The work is a collection of stories about encounters, and the characters and scenes in the work make reference to identifiable places in the surrounding neighbourhood.
The name of the work stirs the viewer’s mind and imagination: What has happened on a day when a bear seeks a discussion partner among tulips? Where is the busy bee flying off to? What is on the bearded balcony farmer’s mind?
Public Art Agency Finland served as the coordinator of the project, taking care of schedules, contracts, and solving many practical questions regarding the work on the way. Art coordinator, architect and sculptor Maija Kovari describes her work as follows: “When coordinating a work, it is important for me to be able to create conditions where the artist, museum professionals, the architect and all the different people connected to the project can concentrate in their own part of the process in peace. For many, working with artists and public art is still something new, and I am there to make the whole process run smoothly.”
“I am there to make the whole process run smoothly.”
“I hope my work encourages empathy between people. oivon, että teokseni toimisi myötäelämisen innoittajana. The stories speak of changes in nature, minorities, wild youth, child’s play, love, sharding, and aging. Every story has its own emotional state.” , describes the artist. “Stories have the power of empathy.”
One wall is taken over by a river of roses.
