Dork Park Memory exhibition at Kyläpirtti in Heinola
“With my art, I try to create an image of the worlds I perceive. My methods are neither precise nor scientific. However, I don’t twist my view on iron wire, but preferably on an iron bar or plate, and even a used one. Usually my work includes humour, irony and farce.”
This is how Vesa Väänänen (b. 1949), a gardener from Heinola, describes his work in the 25th anniversary publication of the Art Center Haihatus in Joutsa. During his 40-year career as an artist, Väänänen managed to make about 600 works, many of which have been destroyed.
Väänänen created an ITE art area in his hometown of Heinola, known as Dork Park, most of the works of which have since been moved to the Art Center Haihatus in Joutsa.
The village association in Heinola has acquired a small part of Väänänen’s work. The works are on display in the courtyard and café of the village house Kyläpirtti as a memory of the Dork Park that lives on in the minds of ITE art lovers.
Text and photos: Päivi Kuisma
Vesa Väänänen’s artist introduction on our website.
ADDRESS Vanhatie 34, 18300 Heinola village
OPEN The exhibition, located in the Kyläpirtti park, can be visited at any time of the day during the summer season. The café at the village hall is open Mon–Fri from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sat from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There are a few of Väänänen’s works in the café.
FURTHER INFORMATION Päivi Kuisma, Communications Officer of the Village Association, tel. +358 40 757 9553
