Between Spaces was the first Northern Landscape production. It was created in Kuusamo, Ruka skiing resort area. This site-specific work consisted of three light-text pieces.
The work explored the dialogue between text and place, as well as moments that exist between movement and stillness, summit and valley, journey and rest. People arrive, depart, descend, ascend, and pause for a while. The light texts positioned themselves within this flow, inviting viewers to slow down, notice, and be present.
Between Spaces reflected on how a place changes the meaning of a text, and how a text, in turn, transforms the experience of a place. It reminds us that moments which seem small or fleeting can prove to be significant. Perhaps something is happening right now that quietly changes everything.
Between Spaces was created by Jonna Kalliomäki/ Kilppari Creative. The work was on display during the Polar Night festival in Ruka from January to February in 2026. It was created in collaboration with BASE Eat & Heat and Ruka Camp Kitchen & Bar.
Between Spaces is part of the Northern Landscape 2026 programme. Northern Landscape produces site-specific environmental art works as part of the official Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture programme.
Kilppari Creative is a Kuusamo based creative company. Between Spaces was released with Kuusamo Arctic residency (Kuusamo ARK).
Artwork and photography by Jonna Kalliomäki
Residency productions for Northern Air have been chosen
Eight productions have been chosen to the Northern Landscape program in Northern Ostrobothnia. Eight different art works will be executed into the Oulu2026 area as part of the Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture program.
The productions are:
Museum of Natural Art Anni Rapinoja, Hailuoto. A production residency to create a permanent art work into the museum of natural art on Hailuoto island.
2nd Generation Cultural Embassy, Oulu. A production residency to create an art work for the 2G -festival in Prunnitori, Oulu.
Kuusamo College. Artist residency and production in Kuusamo as part of the Kuusamo Nature Photo event.
The town of Oulainen, residency program Sykli. A production residency to create an outdoor installation by the Pyhäjoki river.
The Mustarinda Association, Mustarinda Residency, Hyrynsalmi. Production residency and the execution of a set of art works addressing climate change for the Mustarinda summer exhibition.
Kilppari Creative/ Kuusamo ARK. A site-spesific light art work for the Polar Light Night festival in Rukatunturi. Already done.
Kairanmaa residency, Siikalatva. A communal residency project in the village of Leskelä.
KulttuuriKauppila Art Centre, Ii. A production residency to create a permanent art work for the Environmental Art Park in Ii.
Northern Landscape is an artist residency and exhibition part of the official Oulu2026 -program. Northern Landscape 2026 introduces a temporary art space into the landscape of Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu. The exhibition consists of environmental art works from Kuusamo to Hailuoto. The program is organised by the Nothern AiR -residency network, coordinated by the Art Centre KulttuuriKauppila in the Municipality of Ii.
Northern Landscape funding now available for Northern AiR residency actors
Northern Landscape 2026 is an artist residency and exhibition organised by Northern AiR network in Northern Finland. Northern Landscape 2026 introduces a temporary art space into the landscape of Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu. The exhibition consists of environmental art works from Kuusamo to Hailuoto.
Northern Landscape 2026 focuses on the changes in the northern environment and on the emotions and experiences it provokes in human and other-than-human communities. By addressing these themes by the means of art, Northern Landscape 2026, wishes to create hope and new horizons for the times we a currently living.
Northern Landscape is part of the Oulu2026 -European Capital of Culture program.
The residency actors of the area are now invited to apply for funding the their Northern Landscape projects. Apply for funding by October 31st. Decisions bu November 30th.
Residency Exchange- Artist has been chosen!
Konst i Halland and the KulttuuriKauppila Art Center are implementing a residency exchange. A visual artist was sought from the North Ostrobothnia and Kainuu regions.
”We are delighted to inform you that after careful consideration, we have selected the artist Kati Leionen to come to our residency in Katrineberg/ Vessigebro in October. We are thrilled to welcome her to our region.
We are confident that a meeting with Halland will offer Kati new insights and experiences that will inspire her creative process. Her work is truly extraordinary. Her pieces evoke a profound sense of stillness and concentration, compelling the viewer to pause and reflect. The compositions she creates elevate the significance and complexity of the subjects she portrays, revealing layers of meaning and connection. We are confident that her visit will offer our community a unique and enriching perspective.”
The residency exchange will take place in October 2025.
“I am really happy about this opportunity to work at the Halland residency. I plan to go on an exploration trip to Halland and utilize the new environment to create a site-specific video work. I also hope to develop new working models for myself for future projects. I am looking forward to October.”
Kati Leinonen (b. 1974) is an artist from Oulu who has studied photography at the London College of Printing (BA) and audiovisual media culture at the University of Lapland (TaM). Leinonen works on long-term documentary subjects that arise from everyday life and the communities in which the artist is present. In her recent works, Leinonen has explored, among other things, the concepts of memory and remembering. Animals and otherness are at the heart of Leinonen’s latest exhibition Laidunmaa, which is currently on display at Nokia Art Space Raami. Her previous exhibition Vastapuu – jäämistö was on display at Hippolyten Korjaamo (2022) and as part of a larger portrait exhibition Encounters – the changing materialities of portraiture at Arktikum in Rovaniemi (2023). His exhibition Äimärautio, which deals with contemporary horse culture, has been on display at the Oulu Art Museum and the Finnish Museum of Photography, among others. A photo book of the same name was published in 2018 and was nominated for the Photography Book of the Year 2019. Leinonen’s works can be found in the collections of the Finnish State Fine Arts Commission and the Finnish Museum of Photography, among others.
Open Call WILD BITS deadline: 24th of March 2025
WILD BITS OPEN CALL! 
artwork Janis Polar “kuker/site”; photo Epp Kubu