Suunta is a work created in collaboration with Niko Tiainen, Antti Kulmala, and the mathematics and science students of Kauriala High School. The piece explores themes of life cycles and growth. Emerging from the mindset of young people, the work has taken shape in workshops held during art classes. It boldly occupies a space outside the church. The piece invites the viewer to become part of a holistic experience and to reflect on what direction means at different stages of life. The work has been realized with the support of Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike).

Immanuel Pax’s work on the church’s interior ceiling addresses the significance and role of popular movements as part of democratic decision-making. In the 1960s, the Flower Power slogan opposed war and encouraged grassroots citizen activism. Today, we individuals collectively defend village schools, ancient forests, and human rights. What popular movement will you start? 

The playful light sculpture installation by the British art studio Kaleider invites visitors to modify the piece. The work consists of glowing, twistable blocks. Visitors can participate in shaping the piece or watch how the colorful installation changes in the hands of other visitors. The light phenomenon will feature the Finnish premiere of the Twist and Shine piece.

Exoplanets, gas giants, moons, and dwarf planets, along with other Wanderers, form an imaginary planetary system in the windows of the Town Hall. The extensive group also includes several lava and candy planets. Can you find them? And where might the Christmas planet be? Or the planet reserved only for unicorns?

The workshops for the glowing artwork in the Town Hall windows were led by ARX’s art educator Elina Laitinen. A total of 100 children from the Solvik, Kutala, Idänpää, and Ojoinen kindergartens, as well as Pilke Planeetta, participated in the Planet workshops.

Matthew Fillion’s work brings the former, vacant town hall to life. The windows, transformed into light blocks, depict the process of creation, which does not progress linearly. The initial shapes gradually transform according to the creator’s vision. Occasionally, the piece takes on a familiar Tetris-like form. The production of the Process is managed by Torvinen Showtekniikka.

In the shadows, it bubbles, sparkles, echoes, and above all, comes to life! Shadows and lights bring the city to life in different colors in the Shadow Phenomenon installation and video work created together by the students of Aimokoulu, displayed in the windows of the former city hall.

Painter’s Sky” Painter’s Sky is a piece that can be admired while lying down. The layered, digitally drawn works create an imaginative sky landscape that allows the mind to drift beyond the clouds. The piece was created in workshops for special education small groups, led by ARX’s art educator Auni Tuovinen.

Follow the creation of live art in the windows of the old town hall during the early evenings of the Light Phenomenon. The windows will be painted with UV by artists from Kaputa and Kettuki, among others.

Thursday 21st from 17 Kettuki
Friday 22nd from 17 Kaputa
Saturday 23rd from 17 Eira Lähteinen

Welcome to the Light Playground! Here you will find the artworks Labyrinth and Glowworms and Fireflies. You can join in the swirling Labyrinth yourself.

Additionally, you can play throwing games and draw movements for yourself. On the projection wall, you can compose your own artwork from colorful films and weave your part into the Kudos domes.

Players and doers of all ages are welcome. Children should be supervised by their own adult.

The Light Playground is sponsored by OP Häme.

The Light Labyrinth – MIXA

The Light Labyrinth is a playful artwork that invites people of all ages into its swirling maze. Entering the Light Labyrinth is like stepping into a computer game challenge. Can you keep up with the changing labyrinth? Will you reach the end without hitting its walls and dead ends, or will the light catch you?

Kiiltomatoja ja tulikärpäsiä – ARX

Glowworms and Fireflies (Kiiltomatoja ja tulikärpäsiä) the artwork is composed of bugs created by the youngest artists of Hämeenlinna. The children in family daycare, along with their caregivers, participated in the creation of this artwork. The workshops were designed and led by ARX’s art educator Saana Siivonen. The workshop is part of the Cultural Path.

The story heard alognside the artwork was invented and told by Eena, 3 and Hulda, 4.

At the Light Station, you can step inside video and sound. The Light Station is managed by the HÄX youth together with Juuso Suuronen and Kasimir Sarre. In the late hours of the evening, the atmospheric landscape transforms into pulsating light raves where you can dance to your heart’s content.

In the Light Station workshop, festival and Light Caravan-appropriate accesoires  are made. You can also take a moment to relax at Kaputa ry’s café. The Light Station is realized in collaboration with the Tavastia Education Consortium.

The giant spinning top covered with mirror mosaic by Dutch artist Gertjan Adema creates a magical atmosphere in the underpass of Viipurintie Bridge. At the work that deals with the fragmentation of perspective, the viewer must decide whether to look at the surface of the sculpture or its reflection. Movement plays a central role in Adema’s works, and also Fragmented Appearances comes to life through the spinning top’s motion. The small spinning top’s are to be played with. Can you make a spinning top to stand up?

The Color Lotto in Pinella Park shows the trees in the park in a new light. Press the button and let the machine draw your color! This lighting-based piece creates a new atmosphere in the park with each press. Color Lotto invites not only play but also to admire the ever-changing impression. Color Lotto is designed in collaboration between the ARX team and Torvinen Showtekniikka.

Marko Häkkinen’s work reflects the continuous cycle of life. The circle is a symbol of commitment, connection and renewal, shining light into the surrounding darkness. The existence of the old tree teaches people patience and resilience. The tree teaches to root deeply in one’s own soil, while its branches reach towards the sky, striving for their dreams. The four-channel soundscape of the piece has been created together with the students of Miemala School.

In the darkness of early winter, the colorful and blooming herbarium guides thoughts towards light and life. One can reflect on the principles of respecting different plant species in the presence of the artwork. The Herbarium has been created together with ARX’s art educator Elina Laitinen and the elective art students of Lyseo School.

The cardboard ARX fortress at Galleria ARX will receive festive lighting for the duration of the festival. The exhibition also includes a small workshop area suitable for all ages. The exhibition is an in-house production by ARX.