First Pirkkala Cast Iron Symposium -  June, 2001 -                                                                   

PIRKKALA Fe 2001

Participants of the symposium in 2001

In June 2001 there was an international gathering of sculptors and art students in Pirkkala, Finland. Their aim was to cast art from iron. Pirkkala was an ideal place for this kind of symposium because there has been a close-knit population and various activities already at early Stone Age. Cast iron is almost unknown material in contemporary sculpture, but artists visiting Pirkkala were also all professionals concerning iron.

Pirkkala Fe2 brought along an enthusiastic group of students and internationally appreciated artists to work with their pieces for almost without a break for three weeks. The beautiful surroundings of Nuoliala School, the light of Finnish summer and above all the creative, positive atmosphere were the things that enabled the fact that only in 19 days there were finished nine monumental works in Pirkkala and forty smaller sculptures for the exhibition held at municipality's gallery Alasali. The event united both students workshop and professional artists work as one big symposium, where everyone was given advice and help from each other. For the students from different countries and schools to be a part of this kind of process, where it is possible to see and experience so different approaches to the same material, gives very valuable knowledge and experience. The experience of teamwork also became very important element since usually artist's work is a lonely struggle and there is hardly even a chance for co-operation with someone. From the sculptor's perspective Pirkkala Fe2 was a very exceptional event. When you think about the scale and magnitude of processing these works and such a short time to do them, you cannot but admire and respect the professional skills, motivation and endurance of the participating sculptors. These artists, who came here to stay for three weeks leaving their works here, are also friends. I knew that they could carry out their work in spite of difficult and hard conditions. I hope that people in Pirkkala understand, that what seemed to emerge apparently easy and fast is actually a priceless gift for Pirkkala municipality and its inhabitants. Symposium proved that if you have a dream and the will to fulfil it anything is possible even in a small place like Pirkkala with the eager help of the local authorities and people. From now on Pirkkala shall be known throughout the world as a sovereign cast iron art centre among its equals elsewhere.

Villu Jaanisoo - Curator                                                                         Text and picture: www2.pirkkala.fi/