It’s incredible to me that my three-month internship at the University of Vaasa (UWASA) has come to an end so quickly! Time really does fly by when immersing yourself in the things you enjoy most. For me it’s been a beautiful combination of travelling to new places, meeting wonderful people, learning, gathering ideas, and making art. The variation has kept the weeks rushing by at a pace which is very different to my everyday routine, and I’ve loved it all. As I’ve previously written, UWASA is a special place and I’d love to share with you some of my favourite things. I’m referring to my final blog post as a patchwork, in that it’s a random selection of the fabric (or pieces) that when brought together, makes a beautiful whole.
VME Interaction Design Environment Lab – If you haven’t visited this gem yet, do yourself a favour. Not only is it managed by an incredible team of passionate people, but it really is a space for everyone, even artists from Australia. Located in the incredible Technobothnia building, VME is a hub for cross-disciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration, high tech problem solving and creativity. One of the most impressive projects (they’re all fantastic) is the life changing Natureach which utilises VR to improve the health and wellbeing of bed-bound patients in clinical settings, by visually transporting them into much loved and familiar natural settings. I can’t wait to see where Rebekah, Joni-Roy and Marta take this next. Thank you so much for hosting me!
Arcade Games – It’s probably not a surprise that this amazing collection makes my list of standout features of UWASA. To boast the largest number of working arcade games has to be one very cool bragging point. I had the pleasure of trying out some of these games myself and was instantly transported to my childhood, a time when such games were in corner shops and pinball parlours in a non-ironic way. I met the manager of the gaming centre Teemu Närvä, who proudly claimed that the space was an example of how UWASA is “not just thinking outside the box, but ‘doing’ outside the box”. Enjoyed by the young and young-at-heart, this asset has the capacity to bring community, industry, and institution together in a corporate enterprise that can financially support a broad range of projects. Add to that the social potential for students, an activity at once familiar yet new, on a scale whereby interaction and excitement happens automatically; what a fun way to bring people together.
Neuro-friendliness – Meeting the kind-hearted, whip smart Heini Pensar and hearing about her work around Nepsy, was a real highlight for me. Nepsy is a free counselling service available to all students with neurodiverse ways of learning, whether they have a diagnosis or not. By building understanding and changing attitudes towards neurodiversity, Heini has been instrumental in bringing neuro-friendly lectures and workshops to UWASA and is developing a range of sensory friendly spaces in an effort to normalise and celebrate the strengths that neurodiverse students offer. Her work is empowering students and subsequently the broader community. I firmly believe it’s a model that should be adopted globally.
Art and Campus – Recognising the importance of art and culture in shaping society and discovering the fascinating ways that science, technology, and art intersect, UWASA has introduced an initiative that brings art into spaces that previously had none. Mikael is a student I met during my ‘artist in residency conversations’. When asked what it meant to see artworks on campus he said, “art introduced into clinical spaces adds a humanity to the place – it makes it more welcoming”. One of these places is the Tritonia library building which recently began hosting rotating exhibitions amongst the books. I am thrilled to have been asked to be included in this rotation, following on from local artists Elina Melgin and Jenni Österlund who both exhibited during my residency.
One other prominent piece is the enormous woven sculpture suspended over Oskar’s in Ankkuri, visually stunning, I loved the way it also mirrors the UWASA logo and motto ‘A university with heart’.
History – Admittedly, I am easy to impress when it comes to history and particularly historical buildings. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have tread so lightly on Australian Country that there is little trace of early built structures, not to say that there aren’t many highly valued archaeological artifacts tracing Indigenous histories back many thousands of years. Australia was colonised in 1788 and as such, the historical buildings are relatively young compared to those in Vaasa where history dates the ruins of Korsholm Castle back to the 1370’s. Being built on the former Cotton Factory site, means UWASA has some beautiful historic architecture to compliment the serene seaside setting. I adore the red brick buildings and red timber housing around campus, but my favourite place is the internal back stairs between level 2 and level 1 in Fabrikki – that worn stone stairwell oozes history, my body senses the the past, embedded in every echoing step, and now it’s imprinted on my brain.
Presidential Visit – Listening to Alexander Stubb, President of the Republic of Finland, speak to an audience of UWASA staff and students was an unexpected pleasure. After a presentation of the ceremonial symbols of his honorary doctorate in philosophy: a hat, a sword, and a diploma, the President spoke about geopolitics, instability, and the new world order. In what could have been a terrifying and depressing topic, the message was instead inspiring and hopeful. What stood out to me was the reminder that we all have agency to make a difference in the world, encouraging students to stick with their studies to be equipped for a brighter future.
The event was so popular that many of us had to watch a live stream – I chose the quiet space in the staff area of Ankkuri – and oh my, the view almost stole the show.
Vappu – Although I wasn’t in Vaasa for May 1, I did witness a few of days of students scooting around campus and the town centre in their coloured overalls adorned with badges and special mementos. I had a delicious lunch on campus and sampled a traditional sugared doughnut and drank some sweet Sima. Back in Rauma, Vappu was a day that I can only describe as wholesome and charming. There was a rubber duck race along the stream that edges Vahna Rauma, many families picnicking and a vintage car rally through the city streets. White caps were adorned by people of all ages, and I even spied some coloured overalls that could have been 1970’s vintage. I adored the way that the whole country welcomes spring and togetherness during Vappu.
Aroma Bakery – The bread here is outstanding. Hands down the best I tasted in Finland, you are very lucky!
Butterfly Exhibition – An international collaboration, Butterfly: glo-cal effects of data, energy, and industry is an interactive new media and performance exhibition that will be held during Vaasa’s annual Vasa Futures Festival this August. I feel really fortunate to have witnessed the behind the scenes work of the curatorial and design team during my communications internship. I’ve learnt so much about the challenges faced from sourcing funding, managing partnerships, and building a supporting programme of events to finding the right hooks. To be invited to participate as an artist is an enormous honour and a huge vote of confidence from the team. I cannot wait to see how each artist interprets the theme and interrogates the technology our art engages with while simultaneously positioning ourselves within a festival that celebrates future innovations and industry. It is certainly designed to create opportunity for rich thought and discussion.
In a wonderful coincidence the city has installed their summer decorations, giant butterflies suspended above the tree-lined walkways. How perfect!
As I piece all of these random bits together, I find myself wondering if you also find these things special or if my visitor status comes with a unique lens that allows me to focus on details that can be overlooked in the rush of everyday life? I hope that if there is something new here for you, that you can find the time to go and check it out for yourself. I believe that the University of Vaasa and the city are truly wonderful. Thank you so much for hosting me, you’ve forever found a place in my heart.
Farewell & Kiitos
Katey
