The artist talks about the Pavilion of the Crane’s Flight

The pavilion of the Crane’s Flight is a place of silence, offering a peaceful view of the forest, the field and the shoreline of the Oulujoki River, which flows by.

Eero Markuksela

I’ve studied the aesthetics of East Asian art during numerous trips to China and in my ink works. I’ve published three books on the topic, which include my own texts and photos.

The Pavilion of the Crane’s Flight is a work of environmental art inspired by the pavilions I’ve seen on the mountain slopes in China. It is made of impregnated wood and roof tiles.

The construction progressed in stages, based on my drafts and plans. First we built the wooden frame, then the curved bulkhead frames and finally the Chinese-style tiled roof.

The pavilion is located on a slope overlooking the Oulujoki River. It looks natural in this beautiful location. Visitors to the pavilion can follow the endless movement of the river and listen to the sound of their own thoughts. I watched the life of the river for the first twenty years of my life.

The fast-flowing river has had a huge impact on Oulu’s identity. People have lived in the estuary for a thousand years.

Eero Markuksela, Pavilion of the Crane’s Flight, wood, recycled roof tiles (2025)
The pavilion, sheltered on the forested slope, overlooks the Oulujoki River. The pavilion is accessible through a grove and the wooden gate. Visitors are invited to enter and take a seat on the bench. The pavilion offers a place of calm, from which visitors can watch the moon, the stars, the northern lights and the surrounding landscape of fields and rivers. Visual artist Eero Markuksela has created this environmental art as a place for visitors to immerse themselves in their thoughts and visions.

The work is located in Sanginsuu near the Madekoski bridge, on the forest slope between the boat launch site on the banks of the Oulujoki River and the parish house, Sanginsuuntie 67, Oulu.

Videos and photos: Satu Pietilä

The frame of the pavilion is taking shape with the help of the artist and volunteers.
The trees on the forest slope were thinned out slightly around the pavilion.
A pause for reflection. Hard-working volunteer Raimo Perälä and artist Eero Markuksela. The roof tiles are already protecting the pavilion and the sanding of the base is underway.
Wide benches made of old wood invite you to rest.
The roof is made of recycled roof tiles. The curve of the edge creates an oriental effect.
You can go to the pavilion to quiet down and look at the landscape around you – or even to write or paint.
The gate invites you to the forest path leading to the pavilion.
Pavilion of the Crane’s Flight in winter time, November 2025.
This is where the work started. Scale models of the forest pavilion and gate made by Eero Markuksela. Photos from the artist’s archive.
The working title of the work, “The Story”, was changed to “The Pavilion of the Crane’s Flight”.

The organisers of the Sanginkontu art trails

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