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The sculptures will depict an ostrich and an ostrich egg, Source: City of Lahti

Art installations in Lahti will comment on the decline of biodiversity

Art installations in Lahti will comment on the decline of biodiversity

Villu Jaanisoo’s sculptures will be completed in 2023

On 10 March, the Finnish City of Lahti revealed that it will soon have two new art installations as part of its European Environmental Capital of the Year 2021 Award. The installations will be the work of the sculptor Villu Jaanisoo, one of Finland’s leading artists who is best known for his public art installations and his use of recycled materials. 

Depicting endangered species

The two sculptures will depict an ostrich and an ostrich egg. The City of Lahti explains the significance of this, noting that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified ostriches as an endangered species. Jaanisoo’s artworks will therefore act as reminders that the number of wild ostriches (some of the oldest birds in the world) are rapidly becoming extinct. 

Jaanisoo will reportedly use several layers of used car tires to create the large ostrich sculpture. Similarly, he will utilise recycled stainless steel for the lace-like details of the second sculpture, the ostrich egg. Revealing that the art installations seek to both convey hope and comment on the decline of biodiversity, Jaanisoo shared:

“We sill have hope that people will learn to act more wisely in the future. We can learn to live better ourselves and let others live with us on the same planet.”

The City of Lahti reports that the artist will complete the sculptures in 2023. The municipality will then install them at the city's main entrances to remind visitors that Lahti was the European Environmental Capital of the Year in 2021. Both installations will also be illuminated, making them stand out even during the cold and dark seasons. 

The works will be funded by the Sustainable Lahti Foundation and the City of Lahti. 

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