Finns have a very special relationship with Nature and most consider Nature to be an important factor in their life. The relationship that Finns have with Nature manifests itself in many ways: hiking in the forest, picking berries and mushrooms, fishing, hunting, and above all, taking  photographs. Nature photography started at the end of the 19th century and became popular in the 1960s thanks to technological developments; the current interest is due to the affordances provided by digital photography. The Finnish Association of Nature Photographers holds the Nature photograph of the year annual competition. This exhibition covers all the award-winning photographs of the 2022 competition and also some works from previous years.

The concept underlying the exhibit is inspired by the Nature Photograph of the Year 2022, Antti Strang’s “Threat from the Depth”. It reminded me of M.C. Escher’s work “Three Worlds”, with a fish rising to the surface of the water which reflects the landscape. The picture relies on the ancient perception of the world we live in: the lower world is in the depth, the upper world is in the sky and the middle world stretching to the horizon is in between. The installation “Temple of Nature”, created for the large space of the Hamina Town Hall, consists of huge photo prints hanging from the ceiling, with photos of the sky mounted high, photos from underwater placed close to the floor, and other Nature photos being between them. Visitors are welcome to wander among the prints, surrounded by the Nature itself. Behind the photos visitors will find Tove Jansson's paintings, permanently displayed in the Town Hall. I hope, photos and paintings suit well together.

Besides large prints, the exhibition contains all award-winning photos of the year 2022 traditionally displayed, old photo equipment in an old closet, and, last but not least, a huge photo of a Nature photographer, taking pictures in the woods.

Video:
https://youtu.be/UgK4_cYmYas

Project leader: Lassi Ikäheimo

Exhibition architect: Alexander Reichstein

Photographers:
Anssi Hietaharju, Antti Strang, Ari-Matti Nikula, Arto Ketola, Eero Karvinen, Esa Mälkönen, Esko Pitkänen, Heikki Vuonokari, Jarmo Manninen, Jarno Artika, Jooseppi Myllyneva, Jouni Mäkipelto, Juha Sulin, Juha-Pekka Paananen, Kimmo Rampanen, Lassi Kujala, Lassi Kurkela, Leena Asikainen, Mikeal Koskinen, Patrick Blom, Timo Vesterinen, Topi Lähteenmäki, Tuomas Heinonen, Tuukka Rantanen, Ville Heikkinen

Production team:
Susanna Kuoppala, Kati Jokelainen, Emmi Littunen, Anna-Kaisa Hollanti, Eija Kaarnattu, Saija Ristola, Aija Kurko, Riikka Koskimies, Minna Nordström, Jukka Hakulinen, Petri Holamo, Mika Hämäläinen, Jonathan Kuva, Robert van der Stel

Soundscape:
Einojuhani Rautavaara: Cantus Arcticus, konsertto linnuille ja orkesterille
Tomi Pekkola: Muistojen vaja, Lintukuoro

Production companies:
Roseprint oy, AK Sound , Future Display

Helpers:
Fatima Mourzagh, Laongdao Chanakit, Lumina Laitinen, Maisa Muurikka

Thank you:
EKAMI, Finnish Association of Nature Photographers, Finnish Association of Photographic History, Martin Hackenberg, Matti Jokelainen

Photo / video: Martin Hackenberg

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