Koivis – The Tree Guardian

Interactive sculpture, in the Flower of Life Art Park II, focused on children from 0-3 years. Arcues la Bataille, France. Opening 11.10.2006. Together with architect Erkki Pitkäranta.

Andersson and Pitkäranta (Rosegarden Art & Architecture) were asked to participate in a project creating a sculpture park for children aged 0-3 years in Helsinki in 2005, curated by artist Sanna Karlsson-Sutisna. The city of Arcues la Bataille got interested in the project and wanted a version made for them. Andersson and Pitkäranta created a new version of the Koivis – The Tree Guardian around a local tree. Also the length of the legs is changed.

The original idea rose around an existing birch tree on the site of the sculpture park. Andersson and Pitkäranta wanted to create a space where no adults or older children could go into. Now only very small children can go into the coat of the Tree Guardian. Inside the red coat only the children can watch the light coming in through the metal tubes forming the arms of the Tree Guardian. The light shines through a perforated surface on the top of the arms shaped like a heart and a star. They also get into a very close contact with the tree.