Ilkka Halso rescues and restores nature in his art. In the works of the series Restoration he develops and builds made-up arrangements such as scaffolding trees with transparent gauze and illuminating them. Nature is given “treatment” as if in a field hospital, the damaged patient receives medical care.
The series Museum of Nature shows a shift in this healing approach. Nature now is no longer being healed, it is being “rescued”. The viewer finds trees and whole landscapes in glass pavilions. Like a work of art, nature is stored and conserved in a museum.
The basic premise of Halso’s work is that “nature” has been transformed into a museum display or archived. It questions our values and actions towards nature. He looks into the future. And he doesn’t like what he sees. The nature has been perversely moulded and shaped. “Nature” has been transformed into a museum display – the public’s interaction with this new, endangered artifact is limited to spectacular roller coaster rides, perfectly reflected in the still waters they pass over. Alternatively, you can visit the pantheon showcasing a tree…
“My work process is very slow. It can take months and years to finalize certain ideas.”
Ilkka Halso
Among Europeans, Dutch and Swedes are most concerned with the environment, climate change and energy issues. According to a survey requested and co-ordinated by the European Commission, the environment, climate change and energy issues is the second most mentioned item in the Netherlands (32%) and Sweden (31%), and the third in Denmark (28%), Malta (22%) and Germany (20%) when people are being asked about their biggest concerns.
