kantokyky

Concept and Theme

Kantokyky, which translates to ‘carrying capacity’, was an ongoing research project where the three artists co-existed and worked together for the whole summer. The exhibition explored the boundaries of our planet’s carrying capacity and our mental carrying capacity, and how both of these are connected to the immediate nature surrounding us.

Artists’ Perspectives

Brandt, Herrmans, and Farooq each brought their unique perspectives to the exhibition, discussing the meaning of ‘carrying capacity’ through their works. They explored the concept in the context of the current situation, time, and space, and how to simplify, influence, create, or even let go.

Exploring Sustainability through Art

The exhibition was not just about showcasing art, but also about exploring sustainable solutions. The pieces in the exhibition showcased an alternative material that can be produced from bio waste. This material has a very low carbon footprint compared to traditional malleable materials like clay and its firing process. The material for the pieces was based on the artists’ own studies into bio material composites.

Artists’ Statements

Eero Brandt is a bachelor design student at Aalto University where he specializes in industrial design and studies biomaterials in the CHEMARTS minor. Brandt’s goal is that everything he designs adds practical value to life. In his work, Brandt combines traditional skills with modern production methods and plays with material and technique experiments, testing their limits.

Lina Herrmans is a Finnish artist currently based in Helsinki, Finland & Fiskars, Finland. Herrmans works mainly in the mediums of painting and sculpture. Her works channel the vacillations and tensions in the spaces between the themes of being and not being, seeing, invisibility and visibility.

Rami Farooq is a Helsinki based artist. He has studied Aesthetics in the University of Helsinki & traditional yoga in the Shakta lineage. With his works (photography, video & poetry) he explores how asana and pranayama practices affect the nature of experience. How does a whole worldview feel like? What is wholeness? What comes up to the surface from the core when one stops the never-ending seeking?

My Perspective on Carrying Capacity

As a design student at Aalto University, my approach towards the concept of carrying capacity was deeply influenced by my academic background and personal beliefs. I believe in the power of design to add practical value to life and I strive to combine traditional skills with modern production methods in my work.

In the context of the Kantokyky exhibition, I chose to focus on the carrying capacity of the Earth, particularly in terms of human impact and consumption. I was particularly interested in exploring the CO2 emissions resulting from our consumption patterns.

Sustainable Solutions: A New Material

One of the highlights of the exhibition was the showcase of an alternative material that can be produced from bio waste. This material, which was based on my own studies into bio material composites, has a very low carbon footprint compared to traditional malleable materials like clay and its firing process.

Presenting this material at the exhibition was a rewarding experience. It was a tangible representation of my belief in sustainable design and a testament to the potential of bio waste as a viable material for production.

Collaboration and Learning

Working alongside Lina Herrmans and Rami Farooq was an enriching experience. Each of us brought our unique perspectives to the table, and our discussions on the meaning of ‘carrying capacity’ were insightful and thought-provoking.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the kantokyky exhibition was more than just an art showcase. It was a testament to the power of collaboration, the potential of sustainable design, and the role of art in provoking thought and inspiring change. As I continue my journey in the field of design and biomaterials, the experiences and insights gained from this exhibition will undoubtedly guide my future work.

The kantokyky exhibition was a unique exploration of the concept of ‘carrying capacity’ through the lens of art and sustainability. It was a testament to the power of collaboration and the potential of art to inspire and provoke thought on important issues such as sustainability and our relationship with the environment.