So as not to go into Blogger oblivion!

So as not fall into the abyss that so many bloggers do! I was reminded of my blog while applying for the graduate program at Frostburg State for teaching.  No longer in Finland we have settled in western Maryland, and I should try to update it more frequently.  Although my posts I feel will lack the excitement that comes with travel and discovering new places.  Instead I will keep and update on my art.  I am currently enrolled in Ceramics, Art History, Photography and Art Criticism at two of the local colleges.  Included is a photo of the nearby Civil War battlefield with more pictures to come. 

Fiskars - No not that scissors, well kinda....

So two weekends ago Christian and I decided to take a day trip to the town of Fiskars.  Known for being one of the first industrial iron villages in Finland as well as the company who first produced the iconic orange handled scissors you see in stores today. It was a gorgeous spring day and was so nice to have some sunlight, even if it was still a bit chilly. Check out the town's website for more info. http://www.fiskarsvillage.fi/en/

This building was a mill built in 1898 out of slag brick which is a glass-like byproduct of melting iron. 

 

 

Happy New Year! - Onnellista uutta vuotta!

The New Year was an exciting one this year with new friends and lots of possibilities for the future.  One of the new things I hope to bring back to the States is to continue the Finnish tradition of casting tin into water to predict future events for the new year.  Below are some pics of the event!  

Helsinki Sculpture Tour Part 1

I figured since Christian is here to do sculpture I would do a post or maybe two on some of the larger sculptures around the city. This morning we went to the Fazer cafe (a famous chocolate and pastry company in Finland) for their brunch.  I was a little disappointed that there was not a chocolate fountain in which to ladle melted chocolate all over the crepes, croissants and other goodies in the buffet but I guess the Finnish do have a bit more self control than us Americans.  It was quite a nice ambiance with Christmas decorations up and a light snow outside.  On our way home I decided to take pictures of some of the sculptures I pass on my way to and from the city.  You can interpret the works as you wish or go to this website to learn more. www.taidemuseo.fi/english/veisto/karttasivu.html

"The Three Smiths" is located at one of the hubs in the shopping district across from the famous department store Stockmann.  Created in 1932 by Felix Nylund the three men standing naked around an anvil in negative degree weather is a sobering experience and makes you appreciate your long underwear even more!  

 

 

 

"Maternal Love" by Emil Cedercreutz, 1928.  This sculpture is located at a cross roads on the major bus/tram route to the train station. Its a little blurry because I was on the bus when the picture was taken.

"Tanner's Gate" by Kari Juva, 1985.  This sculpture is right next to the bus stop near Christian's school.  

"The Fazer Rooster" by Björn Weckström, 1991.  This scultpture is just outside of the Fazer cafe (see the Zer on the left) on Kluuvikatu in the shopping district.  I thought it was a bronze whale vertebrae but apparently it is supposed to be a stylized version of the Fazer rooster donated to the city to celebrate the company's 100th anniversary.

Suomenlinna

Yesterday Christian I went back to the island of Suomenlinna to watch the boats being prepared for dry dock through the winter.  This is from their website and explains the process. 

The Viapori docks at Susisaari island in Suomenlinna form Finland’s oldest operational dock area, and one of the oldest facilities of its kind still operating anywhere in the world. The docks were originally built (1750's) as protection for the Finnish coastal navy during the Swedish empire period, and nowadays they are used for docking and repairing traditional sailing ships and boats. Most of the 25 traditional timber sailing ships in Finland spend the winter at Suomenlinna. The dock area operations are managed by the Viaporin telakka ry association, founded in 1987.

During the Docking Week from 18 to 24 October there is plenty to see at the dock basin nearly every day. On Tuesday 19 October the inner basin of the dock will be flooded and the vessels will glide into the basin in a pre-arranged order. On Thursday 21 October, the gate of the inner basin will be closed, and the ships must be grouped in docking order. Water will then be pumped out until the water level is close to the docking depth of the first vessel. The actual docking will begin on the morning of Friday 22 October: the basin will be emptied and the ships laid to rest on platforms with the aid of divers. Visitors may watch the docking from a belvedere or from the end of the inner basin.

So this is what the docks looked like when we visited on October 8, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this is taken from the same spot on October 20, 2010.  Pretty Amazing!

 You can find at more at their website:
http://www.suomenlinna.fi/en/visitors_guide/places_of_interest/sights/the_docks/

Senate Square

This is Senate Square in front of the Lutheran Cathedral just a block north from the main harbor.  For the past month there has been a traveling exhibit United Buddy Bears, that promotes world peace and tolerance between peoples.   Each bear was decorated by an artist from the countries that took part in the project.  The U.S. bear was of course dressed like the statue of liberty.

From the top of the stairs in front of the Cathedral.

Jogurtti - Yogurt

Europeans do yogurt and most dairy products very well! I have become completely addicted to having yogurt and cereal at least once a day! It is so delicious, creamy and smooth.  Plus it comes in 1 liter containers so you can pour it right on your cereal!