Carvings on Särkiniemi rocks

Patrick Timm, who lives and works in Berlin, was participating in Laru exhibition for the third time. He carved elephant shapes without permission of laru board and Public Works Department (Rakennusvirasto). Laru board had absolutely no information about carvings on the rocks until it was too late. The board had approved only his art performance involving hosting of a flag with elephant emblem at the särkiniemi shore.

In Laru art association artists have to submit their concepts, sketches and materials to be used in making the artworks. The board consults with participants on the installation requirements and get formal permissions from Public works Department. After the artworks are approved for making participants sign the participation agreement which lists the following responsibilities:

Responsibilities of artists

01 Artist is the owner of his/her artwork.

02 Artist is responsible for artworks content, implications, installation and removal.

03 Artworks should not litter the environment in anyway. They should be built strong to last at least a month.

04 Artists are not allowed to deface natural elements e.g. rocks, trees, ground, ocean and wild life.

05 Artworks should be fastened, placed or hung carefully so as not to damage any natural element e.g. rocks, trees, ground, ocean and wild life.

06 While uninstalling artworks, artists are responsible for cleanup of the area where their artwork was placed.

07 All artworks placed in Laru exhibition are temporary and have to be removed completely after the exhibition is over.

08 Artist will provide all content for website profile. Please visit website to see requirement.

09 Artist will fill the document – Artist information.xls and email to info@laruart.com

10 Artist will pay all transportation costs for artworks located outside of city area – Espoo, Vantaa & Helsinki

Laru board came to know very late about the carvings and therefore could not stop Patrick Timm from doing so. Laru board feels sorry for this unfortunate incedent and will make sure that such a thing does not happen again. Our intention is to make art and take it closer to the people without ruining their surroundings. We support preservation and protection of nature.

Laru Board: Anu Miettinen, Egle Oddo, Nastia Eliseeva, Shachindra Dass.

Below is the declaration by Patrick Timm which states that what he did was done without the knowledge of Laru board.