Tulokaslajit ≈ Invasive Species was a site-specific installation in a cabin at Kivinokka recreational area in Helsinki, Finland. The installation was open between 29th October – 27th November 2016 on weekends in the evenings, at and after dusk. The stroll to the cabin went mostly through a forest, and was altogether c. 2,2 km from the nearest metro station in Kulosaari.
The work includes a 43-minute-long soundtrack of spoken word in both English and Finnish, projections, sheet and paper cutting, LED lights, ImagOn and laser prints. In the soundtrack, detailed descriptions of two plants – large-leaved lupine and Norway maple – are being covered. The readers both read effortlessly on their own native language and also struggle with pronouncing a language that is unfamiliar to them.
The text is compiled of several sources that include scientific descriptions of the plants as well as hands-on advice for gardeners from the both continents – from America that is the Native continent of the large-leaved lupine and Europe, where Norway maple is considered native.
The video projection spans to cover the whole of the soundtrack. It has been filmed in Kivinokka during the summer 2016, and it features unrecognizable shadows of trees and shrubs in the area. The size of the silver screen / backdrop is 270 X 193cm.
For more details, please see the exhibition text here.
Invasive Species was later installed in B gallery in Turku in March, 2017. See the exhibition documentation here.
