Earth From Above in Helsinki
Visited the newly opened photo exhibit between lasipalatsi and the old bus station downtown.
Had walked through the place on friday night already, on the way to see the Bravery, and noted that it’s a big expo all right. And the images are backlit during the night.
Didn’t count the images, but I guess they number around one hundred. And it’s a good selection, containing both classics (the sandy heart in a mangrove jungle) and brand new shots (a town levelled by the 26/12/04 tsunami). And it’s not just the images themselves that are at work here, but lengthy explanations (in three languages) why the picture was taken, and what is really going on. Some of the stories approach preachiness-threshold, but it’s a thought-provoking selection nonetheless.
Browsing got interrupted by sudden rain, so retreated into the expo tent for cover. And noted that the photographer, Yann Arthus-Bertrand, was present, signing books and photos.
Got the big book, and noted why the bookstores take a dim view of actually shipping this overseas - at five kilograms it is a pretty hefty thing to lug around. And will definitely head back to see the rest of the images. No hurry, though, as the photographs remain until mid-september.
Missed the picture from Finland, but I’m sure it’s part of the collection.
And it’s surprising how ATMs are like cops. All over the place when not needed, but utterly absent when useful. The expo tent will accept cards from next week onwards.
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