Forests have long been vital ecosystems, sustaining diverse species and providing shelter, sustenance, and spiritual significance for human communities. Across time and geographies, they have been central to myths and legends, often depicted as liminal spaces inhabited by spirits and supernatural beings. These stories reflect an ancient understanding of forests as places where ecological and cultural memories intertwine. However, the forces of imperialist expansion and extractivist capitalism have sought to suppress this other knowledge, reducing forests to mere commodities to be exploited for economic gain, erasing both biodiversity and the ancestral knowledge.
The relentless expansion of capitalist urbanization, industrial agriculture, mining, and logging has devastated forest landscapes, systematically displacing both human and more-than-human inhabitants. As forests are cleared for development, their vital role in ecological balance—regulating climate, sustaining biodiversity, and fostering interspecies relationships—is threatened. Unknown Territories: Forests resists these dominant forces of extraction and exploitation, embracing the forest as a site of coexistence, reciprocity, and resilience. It challenges the mechanistic and utilitarian view of forests as resources, reorienting them as dynamic, living spaces.
Forests transcend linear histories, existing as both material spaces and metaphysical terrains. In Indigenous and mythological cosmologies, forests are entangled with ancestral spirits, non-human agencies, and ecological balances that blur the boundaries between the visible and invisible, the past and the future. Whether inhabited by ancestral spirits or acting as agents in the balance of ecosystems, forests challenge conventional boundaries and offer alternative epistemologies rooted in relationality, deep time, and shared memory. At a time of ecological precarity, the Unknown Territories: Forest becomes a site for mourning and radical imagination, offering a pathway toward survival and the reclamation of planetary futures.
The artwork entrance_in-between_exit 2025 is based in explorations of subterranean networks beneath the Helsinki area. The installation incorporates materials identical to those used in critical infrastructure systems for the transmission of data, water, and thermal energy. Patterns etched into the flatten metallic components emphasize the tension between decay and modernization, referencing obsolete cartographies, cryptic numerical codes and symbols, recovered artefacts, and an overarching sense of spatial inaccessibility imposed by the surrounding granite bedrock. Materials: tin, copper, silver, textile, steel, fiberglass, spray paint, aluminum, inkjet print on fiberglass. 11 pieces in total.
I felt like I was recording the future. –Svetlana Alexievich
950 km. This route includes a ferry. This route crosses through Åland. This route has restricted usage or private roads. Your destination is in a different time zone.
I have never been here. I read somewhere that the building is the greenhouse of the former Nikkilä psychiatric hospital. I’m looking at the place from further away. I can see the roofless ruin of the greenhouse. Moss and grass are growing from its floor. I walk closer to the main building and look inside through the blue pipes. I step in. Spring smells of smoke.
Three rooms, a finished apparatus at the end.
In April 2024, I talk to Sauli on the phone and write down: For Sirviö, searching for materials is mining, and the places where materials are found are mining sites.
In February 1896, the French physicist Henri Becquerel’s experiments with uranium salts materialise radioactivity into a photograph. The radiation, invisible to the human eye, leaves two dark traces on a photographic glass plate.
In February 2025, me and Sauli talk on the phone about agents, logistics, numbers, smuggled Soviet helicopters. Materials spill into the conversation.
In April 1986, the town of Pripyat prepares for labor day celebrations. 1516 kilometres away, I sit on the ground and put sand in my mouth.
Three rooms, a finished apparatus at the end.
There is an open box on the floor. I can smell the trace on the glass. Maybe there’s a faint hum somewhere. I look out through the pipes.
The exhibition has been supported by Arts Promotion Centre Finland
Troy ounce 2025 inkjet print on wallpaper, wallpaper paste, etching on glass, graphite, wooden frames 1896 2025 paper, plaster, aluminum, soil, parts of the shipping crate (traveled between several unknown locations. Labels painted over) 16612025 inkjet print on wallpaper, wallpaper paste, etching on glass, graphite, wooden frames
1896 2025 paper, plaster, aluminum, soil, parts of the shipping crate (traveled between several unknown locations. Labels painted over)
16612025 inkjet print on wallpaper, wallpaper paste, etching on glass, graphite, wooden frames
Non 2025 inkjet print on wallpaper, wallpaper paste, etching on glass, graphite, wooden frames
Non 2025 inkjet print on wallpaper, wallpaper paste, etching on glass, graphite, wooden frames 1125 2025 painted steel (found in Turku 2019), fiberglass (found in Helsinki 2020), plexiglass, passepartout, gelatin silver print, part of a shipping crate (traveled between several unknown locations. Labels painted over) Parcel 2025 partially charred wooden part of a shipping crate (shipment between Istanbul and Helsinki 2008), mesh bag (found in Raisio 2025), inkjet print on envelope (found in Rovaniemi 2019), holder (found in Raisio 2025)
A detail of 1125 2025 painted steel (found in Turku 2019), fiberglass (found in Helsinki 2020), plexiglass, passepartout, gelatin silver print, part of a shipping crate (traveled between several unknown locations. Labels painted over)
Re 2025 inkjet print on paper, pins, wooden part of a shipping crate (shipment between Istanbul and Helsinki 2008), parts of the shipping crate (traveled between several unknown locations. Labels painted over)
A detail of Re 2025 inkjet print on paper, pins, wooden part of a shipping crate (shipment between Istanbul and Helsinki 2008), parts of the shipping crate (traveled between several unknown locations. Labels painted over)
Sininen 2025 wooden shipping crate (traveled between several unknown locations. Labels painted over), wood, inkjet print on fiberglass wallpaper, tin, copper, ceramic (found in Paris, Noisy-le-Grand 2022), gelatin silver print, passepartout, plexiglass, steel pedestal, paper, plaster, aluminum, soil Parcel II 2025 partially charred wooden part of a shipping crate (shipment between Istanbul and Helsinki 2008), mesh bag (found in Raisio 2025), inkjet print on envelope (found in Rovaniemi 2019), holder (found in Raisio 2025)
Sininen 2025 wooden shipping crate (traveled between several unknown locations. Labels painted over), wood, inkjet print on fiberglass wallpaper, tin, copper, ceramic (found in Paris, Noisy-le-Grand 2022), gelatin silver print, passepartout, plexiglass, steel pedestal, paper, plaster, aluminum, soil
Parcel II 2025 partially charred wooden part of a shipping crate (shipment between Istanbul and Helsinki 2008), mesh bag (found in Raisio 2025), inkjet print on envelope (found in Rovaniemi 2019), holder (found in Raisio 2025)
Cog 2025 paper, plaster, aluminum, soil, painted steel (found in Turku 2019), safety belt (found in Hyvinkää 2029), steel pedestal
Punainen 2025 wooden shipping crate (traveled between several unknown locations. Labels painted over), wood, inkjet print onfiberglass wallpaper, tin, copper, ceramic (found in Paris, Noisy-le-Grand 2022), gelatin silver print, passepartout, plexiglass, rubber parts (found in Raisio 2025), spray paint Cog 2025 paper, plaster, aluminum, soil, painted steel (found in Turku 2019), safety belt (found in Hyvinkää 2029), steel pedestal Sininen 2025 wooden shipping crate (traveled between several unknown locations. Labels painted over), wood, inkjet print on fiberglass wallpaper, tin, copper, ceramic (found in Paris, Noisy-le-Grand 2022), gelatin silver print, passepartout, plexiglass, steel pedestal, paper, plaster, aluminum, soil Parcel II 2025 partially charred wooden part of a shipping crate (shipment between Istanbul and Helsinki 2008), mesh bag (found in Raisio 2025), inkjet print on envelope (found in Rovaniemi 2019), holder (found in Raisio 2025)
Punainen 2025 wooden shipping crate (traveled between several unknown locations. Labels painted over), wood, inkjet print on fiberglass wallpaper, tin, copper, ceramic (found in Paris, Noisy-le-Grand 2022), gelatin silver print, passepartout, plexiglass, rubber parts (found in Raisio 2025), spray paint
A detail of 831 hum (within them burned just not uranium but time itself) 2025 inkjet print on wallpaper, wallpaper paste, etching on glass, graphite, wooden frames
Exit III 2025 paper, aluminum, soil, rubber part (found in Raisio 2025), holder (found in Raisio 2025), soap, vegetable oil, ceramic (found in Paris, Noisy-le-Grand 2022), Lambda print on Dibond, spray paint, varnish, plastic creeper, metal pipes on a doorway
950 kilometres (machines, they danced and swirled creating a mesmerising barrier of colors around the factory) 2025 inkjet print on wallpaper, wallpaper paste, etching on glass, graphite, wooden frames
Parcel III 2025 partially charred wooden part of a shipping crate (shipment between Istanbul and Helsinki 2008), mesh bag (found in Raisio 2025), inkjet print on envelope (found in Rovaniemi 2019), holder (found in Raisio 2025)
Anturit 2025 textile, plastic, parts of the shipping crate (traveled between several unknown locations. Labels painted over), holder (found in Raisio 2025)
950 kilometres (machines, they danced and swirled creating a mesmerising barrier of colors around the factory) 2025 inkjet print on wallpaper, wallpaper paste, etching on glass, graphite, wooden frames Exit III 2025 paper, aluminum, soil, rubber part (found in Raisio 2025), holder (found in Raisio 2025), soap, vegetable oil, ceramic (found in Paris, Noisy-le-Grand 2022), Lambda print on Dibond, spray paint, varnish, plastic creeper, metal pipes on a doorway
Exit III 2025 paper, aluminum, soil, rubber part (found in Raisio 2025), holder (found in Raisio 2025), soap, vegetable oil, ceramic (found in Paris, Noisy-le-Grand 2022), Lambda print on Dibond, spray paint, varnish, plastic creeper, metal pipes on a doorway
Exit III 2025 paper, aluminum, soil, rubber part (found in Raisio 2025), holder (found in Raisio 2025), soap, vegetable oil, ceramic (found in Paris, Noisy-le-Grand 2022), Lambda print on Dibond, spray paint, varnish, plastic creeper, metal pipes on a doorway
Evita Vasiljeva, Shelters of the longest night, 2024, Steel, prints on textile, lamps, wires, needles / Echo, 2024, Six-channel sound installation, delay pedal, piezo microphones, movement detectors / Drooms, 2024, Etchings of dreams on photographs, ink
Sauli Sirviö, EXIT I 2008-2024, aluminum plate, digital Lambda print, spray paint, inkjet print, plastic, wood, inkjet print on fiberglass / Blueprint VI 2008-2024, aluminum plate, digital Lambda print, spray paint, pencil, inkjet print, wood, inkjet print on fiberglass, metallic clock hands, drill bit, paper, demolition dust and keys from Jätkäsaaren Bunkkeri, 2024 / Blueprint VII 2008-2024, aluminum plate, digital Lambda print, spray paint, wood, inkjet print on fiberglass / EXIT II 2015-2024, Diasec, spray paint, pencil, paper, inkjet print on fiberglass, inkjet prints, wood, plastic, stain paint, metal
Evita Vasiljeva, Shelters of the longest night, 2024, Steel, prints on textile, lamps, wires, needles / Echo, 2024, Six-channel sound installation, delay pedal, piezo microphones, movement detectors
Sauli Sirviö, Blueprint IV 2008-2024, Dipond plate, digital Lambda print, spray paint, pencil, inkjet print, wood, inkjet print on fiberglass / EXIT I 2008-2024, aluminum plate, digital Lambda print, spray paint, inkjet print, plastic, wood, inkjet print on fiberglass
Sauli Sirviö, Hand I 2024, inkjet print on fiberglass, tin, copper
Sauli Sirviö, EXIT I 2008-2024, aluminum plate, digital Lambda print, spray paint, inkjet print, plastic, wood, inkjet print on fiberglass
Sauli Sirviö, Blueprint VI 2008-2024, aluminum plate, digital Lambda print, spray paint, pencil, inkjet print, wood, inkjet print on fiberglass, metallic clock hands, drill bit, paper, demolition dust and keys from Jätkäsaaren Bunkkeri, 2024 / Blueprint VII 2008-2024, aluminum plate, digital Lambda print, spray paint, wood, inkjet print on fiberglass / EXIT II 2015-2024, Diasec, spray paint, pencil, paper, inkjet print on fiberglass, inkjet prints, wood, plastic, stain paint, metal / Coil 2015-2024, Diasec, wood, inkjet print on fiberglass, spray paint, inkjet prints / Hand II 2024, inkjet print on fiberglass, tin, copper / Hand III 2024, inkjet print on fiberglass, tin, copper / Blueprint VIII (2008-2024), Dibond plate, inkjet prints, wood, inkjet print on fiberglass, metal, paper, spray paint, film negative from demolished AGA headquarters 2017 / • • Answer to any signal 2008-2024, aluminum plate, digital Lambda print, spray paint
Evita Vasiljeva, Shelters of the longest night, 2024, Steel, prints on textile, lamps, wires, needles / Echo, 2024, Six-channel sound installation, delay pedal, piezo microphones, movement detectors
Sauli Sirviö, Blueprint VI 2008-2024, aluminum plate, digital Lambda print, spray paint, pencil, inkjet print, wood, inkjet print on fiberglass, metallic clock hands, drill bit, paper, demolition dust and keys from Jätkäsaaren Bunkkeri, 2024
Sauli Sirviö, Hand II 2024, inkjet print on fiberglass, tin, copper
Sauli Sirviö, EXIT II 2015-2024, Diasec, spray paint, pencil, paper, inkjet print on fiberglass, inkjet prints, wood, plastic, stain paint, metal / Coil 2015-2024, Diasec, wood, inkjet print on fiberglass, spray paint, inkjet prints / Sauli Sirviö, Hand III 2024, inkjet print on fiberglass, tin, copper / • • Answer to any signal 2008-2024, aluminum plate, digital Lambda print, spray paint / Blueprint VIII (2008-2024), Dibond plate, inkjet prints, wood, inkjet print on fiberglass, metal, paper, spray paint, film negative from demolished AGA headquarters 2017
Evita Vasiljeva, Shelters of the longest night, 2024, Steel, prints on textile, lamps, wires, needles / Echo, 2024, Six-channel sound installation, delay pedal, piezo microphones, movement detectors
Sauli Sirviö, Hand III 2024, inkjet print on fiberglass, tin, copper
Sauli Sirviö, EXIT II 2015-2024, Diasec, spray paint, pencil, paper, inkjet print on fiberglass, inkjet prints, wood, plastic, stain paint, metal / Coil 2015-2024, Diasec, wood, inkjet print on fiberglass, spray paint, inkjet prints
Sauli Sirviö, Coil 2015-2024, Diasec, wood, inkjet print on fiberglass, spray paint, inkjet prints
Evita Vasiljeva, Drooms, 2024, Etchings of dreams on photographs, ink
Evita Vasiljeva, Shelters of the longest night, 2024, Steel, prints on textile, lamps, wires, needles / Echo, 2024, Six-channel sound installation, delay pedal, piezo microphones, movement detectors
Sauli Sirviö, Blueprint VIII (2008-2024), Dibond plate, inkjet prints, wood, inkjet print on fiberglass, metal, paper, spray paint, film negative from demolished AGA headquarters 2017
Sauli Sirviö, Blueprint V 2008-2024, metallic clock hands, drill bit, paper, demolition dust and keychain from Long Island City, NY 2019, keys
Evita Vasiljeva, Shelters of the longest night, 2024, Steel, prints on textile, lamps, wires, needles / Echo, 2024, Six-channel sound installation, delay pedal, piezo microphones, movement detectors
Blueprint VII 2008-2024, aluminum plate, digital Lambda print, spray paint, wood, inkjet print on fiberglass
• • Answer to any signal 2008-2024, aluminum plate, digital Lambda print, spray paint
