In 2023 I had the pleasure of undertaking a secondment to RMIT, Melbourne, through the EU and Marie Skłodowska-Curie funded project OpenInnoTrain, led by Professor Anne-Laure Mention from RMIT. I again had the opportunity to repeat (or extend) this Secondment in 2024, for which I am also incredibly grateful to Kerry O’Connor and Elia Vallejos Formatge for coordinating these secondments. Many things may come to mind when considering secondments or exchange periods. First, the idea is support researchers, students and other academic professionals in advancing their career. Second, is to extend the active collaboration network between academic communities and institutions. Third, is the invaluable exposure to other cultures – national, regional, academic and professional. What is less talked of, is the butterfly effects of these initiatives – the greater impact of seemingly smaller actions. This is what I want to share with you now, as I see the positive effects of the OpenInnoTrain on student (undergraduate and graduate) opportunities to learn, gain professional experience and be exposed to transdisciplinary environments. Here is the story about Butterfly: glo-cal effects of data, energy, and industry, and what it has meant to students.

 

The story behind the stories

While on secondment in Melbourne during June 2023, I realised that I had more time to focus on work than usual. The different time zone conveniently meant that I was unable to attend regular meetings during normal office hours. Not only was I able to get on top of my work (and realise that the work alone is quite manageable and enjoyable), but I had some extra time to dive into long-lost topics such as creativity and art. For, as a professional, I am an artist. I trained as a contemporary printmaking artist, and have practiced as a performance artist since 2004. So, while in the city of culture (Melbourne) where everything artsy happens, I wanted to get re-acquainted with the state-of-the-art (pardon the pun) in the art scene.

I contacted my former Head of Art School (School of Contemporary Art, Edith Cowan University), Domenico de Clario, who provided me with a list of artists, art educators, and curators I could contact. I went through Domenico’s list eagerly, but there was one artist I had troubles in connecting with.

Anne Scott Wilson insisted on speaking via phone. I did not have a phone connection and was relying on publicly available free WiFi (perhaps not secure, but certainly affordable). We kept playing phone tag (ringing and missing each other). So, one fine winter day in Melbourne, I was exploring the city by foot while my family was in Queensland. I had just been thinking of this Anne Scott Wilson, and made the decision to drop the issue – I had spoken to everyone else, I didn’t need to speak to this Anne Scott Wilson. No sooner had I thought this than I looked to my right. I was somewhere in Fitzroy (on Brunswick St), when to my right I noticed the words in large text “Anne Scott Wilson”. I kept walking for a few meters thinking, “No…. This can’t be”, then walked back and re-read – yes, it was. I entered the gallery, behind the words on the front window. There was not only Wilson’s then current exhibition Fugitive States, but Anne herself.

We immediately began intensely diving into the topics of artificial intelligence (AI), art and what the two mean for humanity. By the end of the conversation Anne stated that she would come and visit me in Vaasa. Now, Anne is from Deakin University, and while Deakin was not officially a part of the OpenInnoTrain project, the university has actively supported our collaboration. Thus, the following October (2023) Anne was certainly in Vaasa, undertaking the VME’s first artist-in-residence while teaching a ‘Pop-up hands on artist-in-residence’ course (read more about it here). This was the first major impact of the OpenInnoTrain on our Communication Studies students. During Anne’s course students were encouraged to re-connect with themselves and their own subjectivity, find their voice, while engaging hands on in photographic and AI evolution. What I mean by this, is that our students not only utilised traditional photographic and art-making techniques, but built them. They converted an abandoned office into a full-scale Camera Obscura. From Camera Obscura the students were taken to cyanotype making, poetry and reflective writing, AI-ideation and generation, and video making, to 3D prints – all in two weeks.

Fast forward to the second secondment in 2024. Anne introduced me to the fabulous Associate Professor Toija Cinque (Mediated Intelligence Lab and leads the Critical Digital Infrastructures and Interfaces (CDII) research group, Deakin University). I had visited Cinque’s Eco Digital Futures already, a multi-site exhibition that examined the ecological impact of our data-driven society. So, I had an idea of the type of exhibition she was capable of curating.  During our meeting I presented our projects and the VME, and once more, by the end of my meeting Toija stated, “I’ll come and visit you in Vaasa.” And, that she did. No sooner had Toija arrived in Vaasa, than she was inspired both by the scenery and character of Vaasa, as well as her recent involvement with the Venice Biennale (colleagues from Deakin University, including Anne had actively participated in the event). So, her initial response to how we should plan to officially collaborate was, “Let’s found the Vaasa Biennale!”. A small feat (not). And, while I smiled and showed excitement on the outside, I trembled with panic on the inside. Oh nooooo….

Well, the Vaasa Biennale began taking form with plans for a small-scale digital art exhibition to be held at the Makers Gallery near Vaasa city centre. We had obtained the space, that could have only accommodated for three artists. Very soon after these arrangements had been made, Elina Melgin was discussing the event with Sture Udd – Founder of the Wasa Future Festival, and owner of the stupendous Wasa Innovation Center and Bock’s Corner – when Sture decided to offer his premises, the Catacombs, for the exhibition. Joining us in the mammoth venture was Elina Melgin (University of Vaasa), Esteban Guerrero Rosero (University of Umeå, Sweden), Aska Mayer (Games Research Lab, University of Tampere), Lyndsey Morley (University of Vaasa), Katey O’Sullivan (Deakin University).

The change in scale was significant. We needed to find and curate a much larger-scale exhibition than had initially been intended. In the end, 19 artists from seven different countries, exhibited their interactive new media, textiles and performance pieces. The project was a frantic one, where we had the right ingredients – top international level artists (Anne Scott Wilson, Cameron Bishop, Benjamin Knock, Frederick Rodrigues, Spencer Rose, Domenico de Clario, Jack Manning Bancroft, Tyson Yankaporta, Jurgis Peters, Samuel Kujala, Michele Uccheddu, Moa Cederberg, Daniel Shanken, Nikiforos Staveris, Michael Lukaszuk, Filip Lundberg, Isak Öhman, Katey O’Sullivan and a.metsä), and the incredible venue, but, no budget. This meant, several months of weekly Teams meetings in which we reviewed which funding applications we had been successful with, and which ones not. Thus, already now, I want to sincerely thank the Pohjanmaan liitto (Regional Council of Ostrabotnia), the University of Vaasa Foundation, the City of Vaasa, the Aktia Foundation, the University of Vaasa, and Deakin University for their financial support. We also thank the Research Council of Finland for their support with the Emotional Experience of Privacy and Ethics in Everyday Pervasive Systems (BUGGED) project, for which this exhibition is also a research output. Additionally, on a practical level, we received amazing support from Platform Art, Elokuvakeskus Botnia, Technobothnia and Malakta.

 

Where learning is productive

Being an event of this scale, we also needed people. We saw this as an excellent opportunity to put learning to action, and formulated a Special Course in Communication Studies on Event Management. Over 30 students participated in the course that focused on various aspects of communication and event management in the context of both the Butterfly exhibition and the Wasa Future Festival. The students were working with real-life cases, and helped in establishing some of the main elements of the events’ communication – i.e., social media, invitations, plans, academic events etc. The output was fantastic, and we had the pleasure of both having student interns work on the communications and digital marketing during the summer, as well as work hands on during the event. Moreover, members of our junior multidisciplinary academic also helped significantly in the process.

The opportunity to apply learning to practice in genuine industrial settings, while still being wrapped in the safety of the university, are rare. This was a high level cultural event that required all involved to perform as though they had been working in this sector for years. We wanted to gauge what the students felt about the experience, and particularly what they had learned. Here is what some of our fabulous team of students and junior researchers had to say about what they learned from Butterfly:

 

The overall experience of working at the exhibition was great in my opinion. The work tasks were enjoyable and it was interesting to see what had become of the event that was still in the planning stages in the spring. At first, I was a little nervous because I wasn’t entirely sure what was expected of us in terms of volunteer work. But in the end, I found the work rewarding and enjoyable once we received more guidance and gained confidence.

I learned that there are many things to consider when organizing an event and that advance planning is essential. It is important to ensure that there are enough people on hand to help in case of an emergency. For example, it was good that we were recruited on Tuesday to help with the arrangements, even though at first it seemed that we didn’t have much to do, because suddenly a situation arose where one of the artists needed a ride to the exhibition urgently. Since we weren’t as busy as the others there, we were able to help out and give the artist a ride.

I would encourage [other students] to participate, if they have a chance like this, because participating in this event provided a deeper insight into, and reinforced, what we had learned in the spring event production course. This, so to speak, sealed my learning experience.

-Nea Kalliomaa, Communication Studies Bachelor student

 

My overall experience working at the exhibition was very educational. I felt safe and confident since I got to work with my friend Nea and I’m thankful we were allowed to pair up.

I feel like I learned a lot about organizing an event and got to do things hands on. We were given trust and allowed to do a lot of things without being watched over. That boosted my confidence and I had a lot of positive experiences, especially when I succeeded in the tasks given to me. We received positive feedback and great gratitude for our work and I realized what I’m capable of! 

I would do this kind of work again in a heartbeat and I also had a realization of what kind of career path I might want to construct in the future. The art scene might be what attracts me the most and meeting the artists was so much fun and they welcomed us with kindness. I’m very thankful for that.

 This project taught me time management which is very important in work related environments and working under pressure ended up being exciting. I’m very thankful for this opportunity and experience over all. 

– Venla Kirvesmäki, Communication Studies Bachelor student

 

My experience with Butterfly exhibition has been great. Visual art has been close to my heart since I was young, so it was very inspiring to see what talented professional artists had come up with for the exhibition. I have also had the chance to meet and work with wonderful new people.

 I took note, that challenging expected patterns can sometimes be rewarding. People have strongly learned the schema that you cannot touch, or otherwise, interact with anything at art exhibitions. But, Butterfly is different, and part of my job has been to give them permission to do so. It is exciting to observe visitors play with interactive art pieces or performances. That joy is very contagious!

I believe that being part of project is a wonderful experience to have for future. It may be surprising how important this type of work is to many work places. Organizing events is a very crucial skill to have. Being a part of it makes one realize how many moving parts there is that needs to be taken into consideration.

-Krista Penttilä, Communication Studies (Technical Communication) Master’s graduate

 

Working as a trainee at the University of Vaasa, marketing both the Butterfly Art Exhibition and Wasa Future Festival, was a very interesting and enriching experience. I learned a great deal about event planning and marketing, which supported my studies in digital marketing. The work was very independent, and I was part of a highly international team, which I enjoyed a lot. The independence in the work allowed me to take initiative, make decisions related to marketing, and develop problem-solving skills in real-time.

I’d say that participating in a project like this is a great way to bridge academic learning with practical experience. This project gave me a chance to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting, which helped me build professional confidence, and gain insight into my field. For me, it was a big step forwards into working life.

-Benjamin Broere, University Intern, Digital Marketing student

 

Working at the Butterfly exhibition was interesting for sure. It gave a new perspective on art, creating art and the process of making something. Being able to be a small part of the exhibition allowed me to sneak glances at what goes on behind the scenes of a project this size logistically.

I learned so much from the exhibition alone. Working with the pieces (from the point-of-view of maintenance and working in the gallery) allowed me to see the technical side of the setups and everything goes into displaying everything in Butterfly. Being able to visit the gallery multiple times and ponder the art made me form a deeper connection with the art pieces and my view on art in general. 

Just simply taking part in a project like this teaches you so much. Learning from observing others and a project of this scale can bring so much inspiration to one’s personal endeavours. And when a project is related to art and creativity, there is always a focus on critical thinking, learning about one’s self and their view on creating anything. Working on projects that are outside of the range of things you would usually do can bring creativity and different perspectives to your own life as well.

-Tinja Myllyviita, Communication Studies (Digital Media) Master’s student

 

Working on the exhibition was a good experience, one that felt both unfamiliar and rewarding. Coming from a background in information systems, I didn’t expect to find myself immersed in the world of art. Yet, this opportunity offered me a fresh lens through which to view creativity, expression, and human connection. It was also my first time contributing to a city-wide project, which added a sense of purpose. My role of welcoming visitors and guiding them through the exhibition felt natural and fulfilling. It reminded me of my time in retail, where helping customers was a major part of my job. It reminds me of the sense of interaction and service, but this time with a deeper cultural and artistic dimension.

One of the main things I learned was how personal and layered art can be. Even when artists explain their work, I often found myself interpreting it through my own experiences and emotions. That duality between the artist’s intent and my own perception was eye-opening. It taught me that art isn’t just about visuals; it’s about dialogue, introspection, and meaning-making. I also gained insight into how the environment shapes experience. The venue complemented the exhibition beautifully, and watching attendees engage with the space and the artwork gave me a deeper appreciation.

I will tell other students that working on such a project as this can be transformative. It challenges you to step outside your academic comfort zone and engage with people, ideas, and emotions. They will learn to communicate with confidence, especially when interacting closely with visitors. They will also begin to appreciate the value of art not just as a subject, but as a way of seeing the world differently. It’s a chance to grow personally and professionally, and to discover new dimensions of learning that aren’t always found in textbooks or lecture halls.

-Emmanuel Anti, Information Systems Science PhD Researcher

 

The exhibition was a real learning experience for me. Installing and maintaining different types of artwork was really interesting and getting to see the behind the scenes of an art gallery was exciting for me. There were ups and downs as with any type of work and trying to figure out how all the different pieces come together was a puzzle to be sure, but we managed to overcome all the challenges and, in the end, it was an experience well worth having. Seeing the final result and the whole place coming together with art from all kinds of artists was exhilarating.

I learned all kinds of things, from coordinating with artists working on the other side of the world, to building multimodal multisensory aesthetic experiences for visitors. The work was very engaging, being so multifaceted. There were the obvious technical aspects with building and putting everything together, but also coordination and communication related particularities, which taught me a lot about what it takes to put such an exhibit together.

It might not be so evident as to how this type of work and experience relates to learning and your typical university studies, but at least for me, it was a rewarding experience that pushed my technical and interpersonal skills forward. Putting together this type of jigsaw puzzle requires a lot of coordination with experts in different fields, and for me such a multidisciplinary experience was invaluable. The problem-solving skills alone that such work requires and develops are relevant in so many contexts. I feel that I grew quite a bit as a student and strongly believe that I will draw from this experience in the future.

-Joni-Roy Piispanen, Communication Studies PhD Researcher

 

The Butterfly exhibition project is a great example of how a ‘small’ mobility grant can have massive effects on not just the Secondee, but their entire international research, professional and student communities. I am extremely excited and grateful that the EU project journey continues through two profound projects – DREAM+PLAN (a PhD cotutelle project) and SMAR3TS – both lead by Professor Anne-Laure Mention. Butterfly is just the start of a series of butterfly-effect-like spin-off art-and-science projects that will continue as the new international projects unfold. Our next steps are to combine these ingredients with some quirky and sporty robotic research and development by our colleagues Timothy Wiley (RMIT), Filippo Sanfilippo (Agder University), and Fabio Zambetta (RMIT).

 

Thank you: