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Briefly in english

Briefly in english

Time to Give Thanks

Luminous Finland 100 Light Art Tour has now come to an end and it's time to give thanks to everyone involved. Luminous Light Art Series was built together with several instances. This series of artworks was made possible by municipalities, cities, corporations and organizations. Local people, who helped in many ways in the realization of the artworks, played a huge and important role. Luminous surely wasn't a "one-man show" so the greatest thanks belong to you all who have been involved and helped in the making of Luminous. Thank you. 

We are proud of ourselves and the accomplishment of Luminous Tour. Breathtaking pieces of light art, amazing tour, ten days packed with work, numerous wonderful encounters with locals, and thousands of posted pictures in the social media on all the different Luminous pieces all around Finland. Your pictures have spread all over the globe and the part Luminous played in the centennial jubilee program of Finnish independence will be tangible many years after. Warm thank you to all of the photographers. 

There are many significant partners involved in making Luminous happen: those, without whom the Tour wouldn't have been possible. The main technical partner for Luminous was a German equipment manufacturer Ehrgeiz, who developed custom-made led-lights for the Luminous Tour. The realization of Saana fell light installation wouldn't have been possible without this invention. 

Green Energy Finland has supported Luminous from the beginning and believed in the impact and significance of the light art series as a part of the jubilee program of Finland as well as its effect on boosting a positive image of Finland. 

A technical partner for Saana fell installation was international Brandt, which supplied Honda generators for the realization of the piece. Festivaalisähkö Oy worked together with Brandt in electrification of the Saana piece. These two partners ensured and made possible the functionality of the piece in very challenging circumstances and surroundings. Finland 100 jubilee was  concretely seen and felt in the small village of Kilpisjärvi, located on the "arm" of Finland. Luminous Saana artwork was a success in all ways. Saana was breathtakingly beautiful and impressive! 

The partner in Olavinlinna Castle and Turku Castle projections was a Dutch company called Pronorm. Projections had significant roles in the artworks of Olavinlinna and Turku Castle and they highlighted the sites in a unique way. 

Thank you to the city of Helsinki, the city of Oulu, the city of Turku, Särkänniemi Oy, the municipality of Enontekiö, the company of Enontekiön Kehitys Oy, Finnish Sámi Parliament, Turku Energy, and Turun Suomi 100-organization for supporting Luminous. Thank you Olavinlinna Castle and Turku Castle personnel for your support in the production and National Board of Antiquities for allowing Luminous to be possible.

Warm thank you to Prime Minister's Office Finland for believing in Luminous Finland 100 Light Art Series. We did this all together.

Light Artist Kari Kola, Luminous Finland 100

Luminous Finland 100 light art ensemble comprises six massive pieces of light art that will be exhibited all around Finland during this jubilee year of Finnish independence.

Familiar Finnish landmarks, natural diversity and some historical sites are highlighted by light art in an unprecedented way. Luminous Finland 100 is a part of the official jubilee programme of Finnish independence and it is the biggest one of the art concepts. The main sponsor for the light art ensemble is the Prime Minister’s Office in Finland. Luminous Finland 100 is a unique set of light artworks that has never been seen before in Finland nor elsewhere.

The artwork for the Jubilee Year Opening Ceremony in Töölönlahti Bay of Helsinki on 31st December 2016 launched the light art series. Luminous Finland 100 ensemble will culminate around the Finnish Independence Day jubilee week, 28th November - 6th December, 2017, when the pieces of light art series are lit one-by-one in Olavinlinna Castle in Savonlinna, Näsinneula Observation Tower in Tampere, Kuusisaari Isle in Oulu, Saana Fell in Kilpisjärvi, and Turku Castle in Turku.

SCHEDULE:

31st Dec, 2016–1st Jan, 2017 Opening Ceremony, Töölönlahti Bay, Helsinki

28th–29th Nov, 2017, Savonlinna, Olavinlinna Castle
Tuesday 4PM to Wednesday midnight. Video projections 4PM to Midnight.

Luminous Finland 100 light art series touring during the week around Finland’s 100th Independence Day starts on 28th November from Olavinlinna Castle in Savonlinna. Olavinlinna Castle, which stands in the middle of Kyrönsalmi Strait, has truly earned its place in the massive Luminous Tour.

The specialities of Olavinlinna Castle artwork are the blue and white brick-like forms projected on the walls of the castle and the glowing lights from the three towers. Tallisaari Island situated in front of the Olavinlinna Castle will be included in the artwork. Sound Designer Heikki Savolainen has composed a tranquil soundscape that compliments the artwork.

— Olavinlinna was chosen as a piece in the Luminous series because of geographical and historical reasons. The fortress is located in the Eastern Finland and its history extends to way more than a hundred years back in time. During these centuries this massive castle has been a significant fort in securing both Eastern and Western borders. This is a wonderful start for the jubilee celebrations on the week around Independence Day. I’m very excited about this. This is the first time ever this size light artwork is produced on the Olavinlinna Castle walls, says Light Artist Kari Kola on his piece.

Luminous Finland 100 Olavinlinna light installation is lit on 28th November at 4 p.m. and fades out on 29th November at midnight. The projections on the Castle walls can be experienced from 4 p.m. to midnight on those days.

30th Nov–1st Dec, 2017, Tampere, Näsinneula Observation Tower
Thursday 5PM to Friday midnight

Light Artist Kari Kola’s Näsinneula Tower artwork in the Luminous Finland 100 series will heighten the 168-metre Tower from its current length.
— I am creating a dynamic, slowly changing, abstract light artwork on the Näsinneula Tower that will be visible from very far away. Näsinneula Tower is the highest building in Finland, so the realization of the artwork will be very challenging, yet very fascinating, says Light Artist Kari Kola on his piece.

Näsinneula Tower was chosen as an artwork in the Luminous Tour because of its architecture and central location.
— In addition, I really enjoy working with the Särkänniemi staff. I cannot produce my works of art alone, they are always a result of a cooperation of various professionals and partners. I’m very happy that Särkänniemi is taking part in the Luminous Tour, underlines Kola.

Näsinneula Tower artwork is lit on Thursday 30th November at 5 p.m. and fades out on Friday 1st December at midnight.

2nd–3rd Dec, 2017, Oulu, Kuusisaari Isle 
Saturday 4PM to Sunday midnight. Art performance at hourly intervals.

The heart of Luminous Finland 100 Kuusisaari piece of light art pulsates with Pianist Janne Mertanen’s performance on Jean Sibelius work ”The Spruce”, ”Kuusi”, for piano and Dancer Saija Jäntti’s dance production. The duet’s contribution forms an ensemble that perfects the Kuusisaari piece with a magical touch.

Kuusisaari light artwork covers the whole renewed event area. The public can concretely walk in the middle of the artwork and enjoy nature, light, and performing arts.
— Kuusisaari piece will be a very meditative experience. Pianist Janne Mertanen and Dancer Saija Jäntti complement the light artwork in a brilliant way. It’s a pleasure to include these two artists in this event, says Light Artist Kari Kola.

Luminous also tests the functionality of Kuusisaari during winter season. — The park is a forerunner in its various technical functions and I wish other cities would learn from the approach of the city of Oulu and its development of event areas, ponders Kari Kola. Kuusisaari artwork is a part of Finland 100 jubilee of the city of Oulu and marks the end of Lumo Light Festival. —The pioneer-style investment on pushing light art into an urban setting and the focus on light art and event productions are superb, continues Kola.

Kuusisaari light artwork is lit on 2nd December at 4 p.m. and fades out on 3rd December at midnight. Performing arts show is played hourly between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.

4th–5th Dec, 2017, Kilpisjärvi, Saana Fell 
Monday 4PM to Tuesday midnight

The largest production in Luminous Finland 100 series of light art is created on Saana fell to honor Finland’s Centennial. This is the first time anyone has done anything like this anywhere in the world. The area to be lit consists of 2,5 million square metres. Saana artwork is the first one in the history that can be seen from three different countries: people in Finland, Sweden, and Norway are able to enjoy the piece.

— Since ancient times Saana has been a significant and a sacred place for Finns and all peoples in the North. The artwork highlites concretely the fact that the centennial of Finnish Independence is celebrated everywhere in Finland, also in the scarcely populated areas. By Saana artwork I specifically wish to draw attention to Finland’s unique nature. As a one distinguished feature, it must be one of the most precious elements in Finland to us Finns. Mighty and mystical Saana is a very special place for me personally and I have trekked in the wilderness of fells since a very early age, says Light Artist Kari Kola.

The theme for Finland 100 jubilee, Together, is very tangible in Enontekiö municipality: Saana artwork will be the result of hundreds of people working together.
— The local residents, businesses, and organizations are involved in the building of the Saana artwork with a passion that has been very inspiring for me personally, sums up Kola.

Luminous Finland 100 Saana installation can be experienced from 4th to 5th December. The artwork is revealed at polar twilight on 4th December and fades out at midnight on 5th December.

5th–6th Dec, 2018,Turku, Turku Castle 
Tuesday 4PM to midnight. Wednesday (Independence day) 4PM to midnight. Art performances 5PM to 10PM.

Luminous Finland 100 Tour will culminate in an art fusion of various artforms and tens of artists on the Independence Day of Finland, 6th December, in Turku Castle. The public will be able to experience this magical adventure by moving through the inner courtyards of the Castle and ending up in the castlepark, in which light art, tens of dancers, a choir, fire artists and aerial acrobats welcome them as a part of this magnificent artwork.

—Turku Castle piece is a brilliant grand finale for the Luminous Finland 100 Light Art Tour and for the Finland 100 jubilee. This 6-hour, shape-shifting artwork which combines multiple artforms is an experience that is unheard-of in its uniqueness. We as the Luminous crew have made an incredible journey and it is great to end it in Turku Castle, glows Light Artist Kari Kola.

As one part of the Turku Castle work, there is an environmental art ensemble called Suomen luonto, The Nature of Finland, which is directed and designed by Circus Artist Antti Kulmala and the choreography is created by Iina Ahola. The soundscape is composed by Sound Designer Ilmari Tiitinen.

You can enjoy light art already on the 5th December between 4 p.m. and midnight when the inner courtyard windows and wall windows of Turku Castle shine in blue and white colors. The inner courtyards of the Turku Castle are open for public until 6 p.m.

Luminous Finland 100 Turku Castle artwork is lit on the Independence Day 6th December at 4 p.m. and fades out at midnight. Performing arts show takes place between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.

More information and interviews:

Light Artist Kari Kola
+358 44 057 4555 /

Producer Minna Valonen
+358 50 3864280 /