I'm an urban activist, placemaker, producer and artist from Helsinki, Finland.
At the moment I work mostly in my Second Thought Placemaking Agency and Helsinki Urban Art association, which introduces new ways of using urban space and solving social problems by means of art and activism, but I'm also working together with many organisations.
Which additional experience/skills can people of Placemaking Europe reach out personally to you for?
In addition to placemaking, I specialise in co-creation, social movements and urban art. I've been making many community-based events and projects, which bring the people together to use urban spaces in new ways and create social cohesion. I have also a lot of experience in crowdfunding and different uses of art in public spaces.
Which experience/skills can people of Placemaking Europe reach out to your organisation for?
Helsinki Urban Art brings together many professional artists and art educators. We have a lot of experience in street art projects from painting of the street to indoor spaces, workshops and bug murals. We have also good connections with street artists and organisations all over the world.
Describe one of the projects you are most proud of
It's really hard to say, but one of the recent ones is Kalasataman Vapaakaupunki (Free City of Kalasatama). There anyone can arrange an event free of charge, as long as it is open for everyone. It's a space where anyone can come, where you can chill out, work, play, take part in events and workshops or make your own event. In the first phase Vapaakaupunki was built outside next to a upcoming mall, which has also funded the project.
After that the project continued in the form of Olohuone, Living Room, inside the mall in an empty retail space. The space hosts events almost everyday, and has become a popular place to work. On Saturday evenings there are also DJ- and live music gigs.
