They were here light installation
Helsinki City Museum at Aleksanterinkatu 16 is descending into kaamos, the Polar night. From 3 to 31 December 2016, light sculptures from Alexander Reichstein’s They were here will be making an appearance in the museum’s outdoor courtyards. The sculptures will be lit as darkness falls.
The museum’s three magnificent courtyard spaces are well worth a visit even during the chilly season, especially when you will have the opportunity to meet with historic characters drawn from Helsinki’s past. The human-sized, transparent light sculptures will showcase the Finnish capital’s history from the Middle Ages until the early 20th century. Alexander Reichstein’s They were here was the 2016 Lux Helsinki festival’s audience favourite. The series has now been expanded and complemented with new works and can be experienced in the heart of Helsinki’s historic centre.
The sculptures have been created using multiple layers of hand-worked, 2–4 mm thick steel wire. After they have reached their desired shape, they are galvanised and finished with a specialist paint that glows in UV light. Thanks to their transparency, the characters effortlessly blend into their historic setting, forming a complete and consistent whole. The sculpture installation also includes a musical track that treats visitors to the sounds of times gone past.
The display will remain at the museum from the start of the Helsinki Christmas Market until New Year’s Eve and can be visited during the museum’s opening hours. Like all Helsinki City Museum exhibitions, the sculptures can be enjoyed free of charge.
