Meadow Alchemy
Meadow Alchemy builds on a long-term residency at the Archipelago Research Institute, focused on observations of meadows ecosystems on the island of Seili. In the project, biologist Jasmin Inkinen and artists Olli Aarni and Kalle Hamm have selected 28 meadow plants growing on four different meadows and observe them closely over a two year period.
The project Meadow Alchemy draws together field notes, drawings, photographs, videos and field recordings. The observations made by the scientist and the artists converse with each other, revealing both similarities and differences between their practices. In the collaboration, their diverse perspectives compliment each other to create a nuanced and complex view into the meadows that reflect both local and planetary environmental transformations.
The observations are compiled into a volvelle (time spiral) installation, which will be presented at the Archipelago Research Institute in Seili in collaboration with CAA in 2027. The volvelle will eventually expand also into an online archive. The work includes a book, to be published late 2026. The whole body of work will not only tell about the meadow plants growing in Seili, but also about the formation of these meadow ecosystems. Starting from the annual cycles of plants, Meadow Alchemy guides the viewers on a journey through time, all the way to the birth of the Earth.
Meadow Alchemy is supported by Arts Promotion Centre Finland and Sakari Alhopuro Foundation. It is realised in collaboration with the Archipelago Research Institute and CAA.
Field notes
13–15.10.2024
First fieldwork visit. Jasmin introduced the meadows and the history of the scientific reseach on the four monitoring plots.
27–30.5.2025
Spring on the meadows. Kalle tested different observation methods of drawing, photographing, and writing. Kalle and Jasmin made plans for the process of observation.
1–4.7.2025
Kalle followed the plant inventory carried out by researchers of the international Eurasian Dry Grassland Group network, and interviewed conservation biologist Maija Mussaari about meadow restoration.
9–11.8.2025
First observation date: 10 August 2025 at 10:30. Kalle photographed, drew and observed.
21–23.8.2025
Kalle introduced sensory colour assessment methods to Jasmin.
8–11.9.2025
Second observation date: 10 September 2025 at 14:30. Kalle photographed, drew and observed. Olli made field recordings.
5–7.5.2026
Olli makes further field recordings on the meadows.
19–22.5.2026
Third observation date: 21 May 2026 at 9:15. Kalle photographed, drew and observed.
22.6.2026
Fourth observation date: midsummer night 22 June 2026 at 22:00.
