Leena Kangaskoski

At the Saari Residence, I am going to try to contemplate the quantum. Futures researcher Olli Hietanen paraphrased Heidegger in his essay Tulevat todellisuudet (”future realities”; Todellisuuksia. Taide, 2005) by stating that ”- If a person is holding a screwdriver, they see the world in terms of driving screws. If they have a hammer, they see it in terms of hammering.” (freely translated)

What if they were holding quantum theory in their hands? Would the world present itself in terms of quanta? What does it even mean? That wondrous quantum that allows us to create predictions of reality as we experience it with astounding precision, despite the fact that it behaves so strangely and illogically.

Through vigorous investigation, though with unorthodox and unscientific methods, I will try to figure out what adopting a quantum perspective might mean in everyday life. During my residency, I will prepare situations and objects through which I relate to reality as it appears in terms of quanta.

I will also be finalizing pieces for my Läikähdyksiä series at the Saari Residence. The series stems from the space between the mind and the body. The boundary is fickle. The body affects the mind and the mind affects the body. The work is reminiscent of a field in which easily reactive straws form ever-changing tides, stops and dams. The pieces draw influence from interviews with experts.

Leena Kangaskoski (b. 1982) has studied at the Royal College of Art in London and at Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture in Helsinki. Her work has been showcased in galleries, theatres, festivals and museums, in as diverse locations as the Barbican London and a nomadic gallery in Vancouver, Canada. Kangaskoski is the other half of artist duo A Few Pointers and a member of the Artists’ Association MUU.