Aalto-Tongji co-operation was awarded in open environmental competition
Artists Bao Xiying and Jarmo Suominen from Tongji and Aalto have received 3rd prize at Finnish public art competition in Espoo with their artwork “Light of my life”.
The competition was organized by The City of Espoo for the Artwork to Alberganportti light traffic underpass in Leppävaara. The underpass, which is approximately 18 metres long, is a part of the Alberganpromenadi cycle and pedestrian traffic route. The goal of the art competition was to find an artwork that is ideally suited for this exact location. The City of Espoo received nearly 90 suggestions for Alberganportti underpass artwork. The award ceremony was held on 6 April in Espoo.
“Light of my life” is a graphically reduced representation of Art in both black and white lines and light. The work is based on a live and free drawing that takes ideas for the early roots of prehistoric cave paintings and the fundamental role of art as a human expression. Particular strength in the work is a plan for the social implementation. Through the work, many can leave a mark and engage on their surroundings. “Light of my life” is a multi-level, energetic and dramatic work in which history and present are strongly present
This awarded work is visible amongst other works on their next exhibition opening on April 24th at Guangzhou in Guangdong University of Technology, School of Art & Design. Exhibition includes their site specific drawing performance and samples of their previous work under the theme of NOW, HERE and ME. This work is their ongoing collaborative process of Art in situ, as site specific drawings produced already internationally at locations in USA, Finland, China and Japan.
Suominen is a professor at Aalto University's Department of Architecture and at the Tongji University Design and Innovation School, that Aalto University has a cooperation agreement with. Bao Xiying is an artist and student at Tongji University's Design and Innovation School. They have also performed works of art at Aalto University premises: a temporary work at Dipoli in the fall of 2017 and a permanent work at A-Grid hall auditorium.
For more information:
Professor Jarmo Suominen, Aalto University, jarmo.suominen@aalto.fi
About the competition
Art by Suominen and Bao: now-here.me