Laura Lappi Finnish, b. 1979
Laura Lappi was born and raised in Finland, earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in The Netherlands and currently lives and works in Queens, NY. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including solo exhibitions at Gallery Sculptor in Helsinki, Lorimoto Gallery and Flushing Meadows Corona Park in New York, The Yard in Colorado Springs, Galleria Uusi Kipina in Lahti, and at numerous group exhibitions including Firetti Contemporary and DIFC Sculpture Park in Dubai, The Bronx Museum of the Arts, Trestle Gallery and AC Institute in New York, Riihimaki Art Museum and Galleria Titanik in Finland, Kunstpodium T, Roodkapje, Twente Biennale and Re:Rotterdam International Art Fair in The Netherlands, Galleri Vest and SIM Gallery in Reykjaviik, Supermarket Art Fair in Stockholm, and Recyclart Art Center in Brussels.
She is interested in observing and examining how architecture and spatial environments influence our perceptions and affect reality; in particular, her focus is on the experience and emotional charge of different places and fluid boundaries between reality and fiction. Her sculptural practice explores the relationship between physical spaces, man-made structures, and the human mind – the psychology of places.
The starting point of her work usually comes from a real, existing location, which she explores by researching its history and geography. Based on these places, she creates sculptures and site-specific installations, using photography and videography as a means to document them.
Lappi’s residencies include Yaddo in Saratoga Springs, Marble House Projects in Dorsett, SIM in Reykjavik and Vermont Studio Center in Johnson. She has been awarded grants from the Art in the Parks: Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park in New York, Alfred Kordelin Foundation Finland, The Queens Council on the Arts, Arts Promotion Centre Finland and Finnish Cultural Foundation and fellowships at the BRonz Museum of the Arts and NYFA in New York. Her work has been featured in Shot Magazine Italy/UAE, Marie Claire HK, Culture Volt, Secret NYC, NY Art Beat, Kateigaho Japan, COS Independent, and Metro US among others. Lappi’s art works have been acquired by Serlachius Museum in Finland.
Send me more information on Laura Lappi
-
Hehku II, The Yard Colorado Springs, CO
2018, Site-specific installation, charred wood, smoke, 39 x 51 x 71 inch / 100 x 130 x 180 cm
Installation view at The Yard, Colorado Springs, CO, United StatesHehku II is a site-specific installation standing in a suburban Colorado landscape at The Yard project space. The work reveals the process of charring, though it is unclear if the sculpture is devolving or evolving. The structure is still smoldering from the burning process, but the vapor appears as much like a strange mist as it does smoke, which creates an unknown aspect and an undeniable presence.
The Yard is a project space and site for public art run by Jessica Langley and Ben Kingsley in their front yard in the Divine Redeemer neighborhood of Colorado Springs, CO. Coordinates: 38.847596,-104.799216 whatsintheyard.com
-
Heartbeat Night, Asikkala, Finland
2013/2020, Site-specific installation, wood, animated light, 60 x 79 x 118 inch / 152 x 200 x 300 cm
2×3 (Heartbeat) deals with loneliness and isolation. The installation is installed on a rocky outcropping in a remote forest in Asikkala, Finland. The piece consists of a life-size wooden house containing an animated light. Its title refers to the Elvis Presley song “Heartbreak Hotel”, and the light is animated to pulse to the rhythm of that song.
2×3 (Heartbeat) was installed in 2013 with a support from the Finnish Cultural Foundation. The installation still exist in its original location.
-
Heartbeat Night, Asikkala, Finland (Second View)
-
Hehku I, Asikkala Finland
2017, Site-specific installation, charred wood, smoke, 39 x 51 x 71 inch / 100 x 130 x 180 cm.
Installation view in Asikkala, Finland.
Hehku I a site-specific installation standing in a rural field in Asikkala, Finland. The work reveals the process of charring, though it is unclear if the sculpture is devolving or evolving. The structure is still smoldering from the burning process, but the vapor appears as much like a strange mist as it does smoke, which creates an unknown aspect and an undeniable presence.
