Residency as Fieldwork

Essay Residency as Fieldwork by Taru Elfving (CAA) has been published alongside a commissioned new drawing by artist Kalle Hamm in the book Residencies Reflected. Hamm’s drawing maps out the exploratory, winding and often unexpected paths taken by his research into the plant life of Seili in collaboration with CAA and the Archipelago Research Institute. Elfving writes with Hamm’s work, following the drawing of the hedge bindweed as an entangled observer:

In 2021 there was no spring. Or that is how it felt, when the persistently cool weather abruptly turned into a heat wave in May. The island of Seili burst into full bloom as the early summer blossoms appeared and disappeared. Spring was fast forwarded into full summer in a matter of days. I for one, alongside the artist Kalle Hamm, missed the spring on the island completely. Although Hamm had carefully planned the timing of his residency, the plants he came to document changed their annual schedule due to the unexpected temperature hike. Daisy, sea milk- wort and red elderberry seem to have swiftly reacted to the heat, while we were not so agile with our plans. This meant another year of waiting and yet another return to the island…

The book Residencies Reflected is edited by Irmeli Kokko and published by Mousse Publishing and Kone Foundation / Saari Residence in 2024. It can be accessed online.