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© Image: Alma Heikkilä: (+,+) soil, pore space, hyphae, phaneroplasmodium, small white wave, cells and cell clusters, 2022-24. Photo: HAM/Maija Toivanen.

(+,+) soil, pore space, hyphae, phaneroplasmodium, small white wave, cells and cell clusters

Artist Alma Heikkilä

Mäkelänkatu 89, 00610 Helsinki

Indoor Sculpture

The work is on limited viewing, only for users of the premises.

Visual artist Alma Heikkilä’s work draws attention to the interrelations we are entirely dependent on. For Käpylä Comprehensive School’s Väinölä building, Heikkilä created a two-part work called (+,+) soil, pore space, hyphae, phaneroplasmodium, small white wave, cells and cell clusters. The work creates a connection between humans, non-humans, and the environment by revealing the underground and microscopic life that can be only partially experienced through the human sensorium.

The monumental painting dominating the multifunctional hall displays bacteria, microbiological growth, fungi, mycelia, and roots as large organic masses and small details. In a smaller relief, the themes are connected to the scale and shape of the human body. With her work, Heikkilä wanted to take part in the tradition of educational posters and monumental paintings in schools.

Ink and pigments on canvas as well as plaster and epoxy resin are the main materials in Alma Heikkilä’s works. Heikkilä participated in the 2023 Helsinki Biennial with a spatial work on Vallisaari Island. In her art, Heikkilä explores interactions and scales beyond human comprehension. 

The work belongs to the City of Helsinki’s art collection, which is managed and curated by HAM.

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