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Ravine

Ravine is an environmental work of art situated in the Utajärvi Geological Time Trail.

The Story

The title refers to ravines that were created as the land has formed. Waterways in the area are also ravines along which tar was transported. Tar also flowed down the ravines inside the tar pit.

The red reflectors are visible in the light of the sun, traffic, or street lights. Their red flash can give the passerby the impression of smouldering coal, lava, or a village’s lights by the river.

The Artist

Tiina Vehkaperä (born 1982) is a sculptor from Oulu, who expands her work to performance, environmental and light art. Vehkaperä explores new materials and techniques in her work. She often observes the essence of everyday surplus or found materials, bringing them into the present day and contemporary concepts. Content-wise, her focus is on understanding, and the difficulty of, being in the world, and observing the non-verbal dynamics of human relationships. Vehkaperä's works have been exhibited in several art museums and environmental exhibitions, such as Retretti, Art Ii Biennial, Oranki Art, Kumma Puutarha, and Carrara Biennial. She has public works both indoors and outdoors, and works in collections such as the Finnish State Art Collection.

The Builders

In addition to the artist Tiina Vehkaperä, the work was realised with the help of the earth-moving entrepreneur Konsta Hahtonen and the municipality of Utajärvi.

The Journey of Discovery in Art

The seven works of art in the Journey of Discovery in Art project highlight the natural and cultural heritage of the landscapes in the Rokua Geopark area, recognised as being of national importance, through environmental art. The works are inspired by three main themes: geological heritage, tar, and legends. The works have been funded by the Council of Oulu Region (AKKE funding) and the founders of Rokua Geopark (the municipalities of Muhos, Utajärvi, and Vaala, the Rokuan Terveys- ja Kuntouttamissäätiö foundation and Metsähallitus) and commissioned by Humanpolis.