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Tuomas A. Laitinen’s work The Game of Biomes is displayed in the new Jätkäsaari Comprehensive School building’s three light wells, which fill the building’s floors with light pouring in via skylight windows.


Tuomas A. Laitinen: The Game of Biomes
Photo: Maija Toivanen / courtesy of HAM Helsinki Art Museum

"The work includes hand-blown glass sculptures hung in two of the light wells. The blazing colours of the oval-shaped glass sculptures were created using the Swedish overlay technique, in which layers of glass of different colours are stacked on top of one another, resulting in colour combinations reminiscent of chemical reactions. The glass sculptures contain organic, sculptural shapes, which the artist himself describes as “glowing deep-sea creatures.” The work also includes an animated video piece, the imagery of which is constantly changing based on an algorithm created by the artist. The video piece can be seen as depicting the growth of a living organism or growth graphs simulated by a mathematical model. Laitinen is interested in questions about the relationship between biological systems and social life. In fact, in the coming years The Game of Biomes will expand to the areas of environmental pedagogy and civic participation with the help of the Biome currency launched by Laitinen. Through it, the artist is donating funds for the school’s pupil activities, which will make it possible to increase pupil-centred climate awareness and environmental advocacy." From HAM Helsinki Art Museum's press release >>>