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Pertti Kukkonen: Copper Concrete Pilars, 1998. © Photo: HAM Helsinki Art Museum

Kuparibetonipilarit / Copper Concrete Pilars

Artist Pertti Kukkonen

, Helsinki

Five turquoise blue copper concrete pilars border and liven up the junction forming a little opening between the roads Lapinmäentie and Korppaanmäentie at the tram crossing of Pikku-Huopalahti. The work also functions as a visible support for the tram drivers. The glowing turquoise-blue colour was made from a mixture of concrete and copper and ammonium chloride, which artifically excelerates the patination of the copper.

The sculptor Pertti Kukkonen developed the coloured concrete in cooperation with the Helsinki University, VTT and concrete manufacturers. The design of the work was also realised in co-operation with the Helsinki University of Art & Design and the City of Helsinki. For the artist, working with concrete as an artistic medium opened up co-operations for the artist with architects. Architects have often worked in collboration with him to develop his artistic ideas for buildings including in several places in the Ruoholahti residential area. For these works, art has become an organic part of the built landscape.

Kukkonen’s sculptures are typically concrete, but he has also used other materials such as wood and bronze. The artist has also made works and sculptures of many forms as well as several medals, whose subjects are sometimes personal, sometimes topical.

The work doesn’t belong to the City of Helsinki’s art collection, which is managed by HAM.

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