LUX Helsinki brings two works that play with light, sound, and glass materials to the Kanneltalo Gallery.

The works can be seen at the Kanneltalo Gallery
Tue 6 Jan, 5–10 pm (exhibition opening)
Wed 7 Jan, 9 am–10 pm
Thu 8 Jan, 9 am–10 pm
Fri 9 Jan, 9 am–10 pm
Sat 10 Jan, 10 am–10 pm
Sun 11 Jan, 5–10 pm

Kirsti Taiviola’s Flying Bird with Seven Lenses is a reflection on the presence of invisible substances.

We perceive the existence of air not by seeing it directly, but through its effects: leaves rustling, dust swirling in the wind. Watching a bird in flight reveals that it is carried by air—yet the air itself remains unseen.

At the heart of the work is a custom-built lens device composed of seven hand-blown glass lenses arranged in a circular structure. Each lens captures a phase of a bird’s wingbeat, forming a stop-motion loop projected as light.

Inspired by Eadweard Muybridge’s Galloping Horse and early animation, the work pays tribute to pre-digital motion studies and the craft of lens-making. The handmade glass introduces subtle distortions, making the image feel organic, fleeting—like air itself.

Kirsti Taiviola is a visual artist exploring glass and light as mediums of perception. She creates handmade glass lenses and light projections that engage with themes of materiality, time, and authorship, while paying homage to the craft of glassmaking. In addition to her artistic practice, Taiviola works as a Lecturer in Glass at Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

Risto Puurunen’sInteractive 3D- Shadow Theatre is an immersive, interactive and mind-boggling 3D-light projection experience, that is constructed organically in the gallery space.

When using the provided old fashioned analog 3D-glasses the projected artwork shadows grow in the space and follow the spectators’ movements in real time. There is also a possibility for personal performances through sound improvisation with piano strings and shadow play.
The foundation of the art piece is the crafting process over time and hands on tests with the lights, projections and shadows. Visually, the roots of the rough aesthetics lay on the early age movie history tryouts and pre-film animation devices (zoetropes) in a twisted way.

Visitor, you are very welcome to play with 3D-glasses, surreal moving shadows and sound!

Risto Puurunen is a self-taught musician and visual artist who builds both his instruments and his art from scrap metal and wire. His artistic work includes immersive spatial works that utilize his invention “stereo light”, shadows and 3D glasses. He is also known as a member of the band Cleaning Women, with whom he has performed internationally, provided live music to silent films, and composed music for movies.

Additionally, Puurunen plays a key role in Haihatus art center association, where he is part of on the executive team, participates in maintaining the activities at the center, and owns the properties and land managed by the association.

Free entry