A negotiation with snow and earth by Jimin Hong

An exploration of the relationship between unstable snow and the ground. The less snow-covered landscape in Helsinki seemed so contrasting after coming back from Inari, covered by meters of fresh snow. “It shouldn’t look like this now. Everything should be covered by deep snow.” After conversations with locals, I have begun an exploration into their relationship with the shortening winter in Finland.

The act of putting snow on clay creates a dialog between the soil and the snow, and their negotiation leaves a visual mark. This repetitive act raises the question of how this phenomenon affects the ground. The state of the snow was different every day. The daily practice of collecting snow and placing it on each object in the exhibition reflects the current state of Helsinki's winter environment, a short and confusing cycle of snow covering and melting repeatedly.

In the exhibition space, through the process of placing snow onto the clay object, the transformative artwork invites viewers to think about their relationship with the earth, and to participate in the negotiation of soil and snow. Each object represents the Finnish ground and the ecosystems that are interconnected with it, beneath this unstable snow cover.

After the exhibition, the Finnish clay that had been touched by the snow was returned to the earth, back to nature. The time that has been shed on the clay during the exhibition through conversations, negotiations, and questions, was returned to the earth, back to nature.

Materials used

Installation : Snow, Finnish clay, Photograph
Snow collecting scoop : Collected Anti-skid gravel, Recycled clay, Photograph

Photographs by Jimin Hong