Aki Lintumäki

Česká sekce INSEA
Jun 19
6 min read

Updated: Jun 28

4.29 IT'S MELTING – Art Strengthens Young People’s Resilience to Face Climate Change (Paper)

Aki Lintumäki – University of Lapland | South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Finland

Abstract:

This presentation introduces an art-based action research project carried out in Kuopio, Eastern Finland. The project partners were On the Front Line of the Climate Crisis research project and Ingmanedu Vocational College for Culture Studies. The research was facilitated by artist and researcher Aki Lintumäki, researcher Jarmo Rinne, and photography teacher Tuire Kurikka. Young photography students participated in the study. The research task was to develop activities where young people can use art to build resilience to climate change. The study consisted of five artistic tasks in which students explored climate change using different kind of photographic techniques. The artistic process involved approaches of New Genre Arctic Art Education and New Materialism. At the end of the process, the research team opened an exhibition called IT'S MELTING – photographs on climate change on 25 May 2023. The arts-based approach promoted young people’s understanding of the phenomenon. It also gave them new ways to deal with feelings of climate change. Active artistic participation and a sense of community developed young people’s resilience. In addition, the art-based work, and the dialogue with materials created feelings of empowerment. Participants felt heard and seen. This study suggests that art can strengthen young people’s resilience to climate change in the future. On the Front Line of the Climate Crisis research project is coordinated by the Youth Research and Development Centre Juvenia of South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences and the University of Lapland. The project started in 2022 and will continue until the end of 2025. The project is funded by Kone Foundation, and it is carried out in Lapland, Eastern Finland, and Tampere region.

Photos of the exhibition opening: https://www.instagram.com/p/CsrGaxrt09F/?img_index=1

9.7 On the Frontline of the Climate Crisis Building Young Peoples’ Climate Citizenship through Art and Co-research (Panel)

Chair:

Korinna Korsström-Magga – University of Lapland, Finland

Panellists:

Aki Lintumäki – University of Lapland | South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Finland

Mirja Hiltunen – University of Lapland, Finland

Timo Jokela – University of Lapland, Finland

Jarmo Rinne – South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Finland

Abstract:

This panel addresses the potential of art education and art-based action research to positively impact young people’s climate anxiety. The discussion raises questions about northern knowledge and new materialism in community-based art education and how the new genre Arctic art education can enhance co-research and active citizenship. Can art and art education propose new means of participating and acting in the creation of the future? Climate change threatens people’s cultures and traditional livelihoods in northernmost Europe and circumpolar areas. The surrounding nature will change because of exploitation caused by the green transition. Often, people have anxiety and feel desolated in the hands of distant policymakers. The phenomenon is causing despair and anxiety, especially among young people. The panel discusses the topic through workshops and artwork examples performed in the project On the Front Line of the Climate Crisis. The project studies young people’s climate citizenship and activism through arts-based action research and co-research. It highlights social and societal dimensions and collaboration with art educators, researchers, and young participants who aim to influence politicians. The Youth Research and Development Centre Juvenia of South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences and the University of Lapland coordinate the research project. The Kone Foundation funds the project, which is ongoing until 2025 in Lapland, Eastern Finland, and the Tampere region.

11.13 My Place: Building Young People’s Future Using Art-based Action in the North (Poster)

Aki Lintumäki – University of Lapland | South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Finland

This poster presents an arts-based action research process with young people in the Arctic and Eastern Finland. The study aimed to develop an art-based model for young people to express their thoughts and feelings about climate change and to promote their social inclusion in the future. The study produced a video artwork called Minun paikkani – Mu báiki – My Place (2022), which presents participants’ feelings about their favourite places and thoughts on climate change. The video artwork was published at the Aurora future event in Levi Fell, Finland, on 18 November 2022. University of Lapland doctoral students and artists Aki Lintumäki and Korinna Korsström-Magga facilitated the study. The research process was also a sub-study of Lintumäki's dissertation at the University of Lapland.

Most of the young people who participated in the study were concerned about climate change. Arctic youth strongly associate climate change with the loss of their cultures and traditions. This study suggests that, if we encourage young people to express their opinions on climate change through empowering arts-based actions, we can support their development as active citizens. This action could promote young people's social inclusion and sustainable development in the Arctic.

The study was published in the book Relate North Possible Futures in 2023. The process was organised by On the Front Line of the Climate Crisis research project, coordinated by the Youth Research and Development Centre Juvenia of South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences and the University of Lapland. The project started in 2022 and will continue until the end of 2025. The project is funded by Kone Foundation, and it is carried out in Lapland, Eastern Finland, and Tampere region.

*Aki Lintumäki – My place: Building Young People’s Future Using Art-based Action in the North*

13.7 My Place – Minun paikkani – Mu báiki Video Artwork (Artwork)

Aki Lintumäki – University of Lapland | South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Finland

Abstract:

Video artwork, 2022 (duration 22 min 19 s, resolution 1080p)

My Place - Minun paikkani - Mu báiki video artwork

13.12 Solastalgia (Artwork)

Aki Lintumäki – University of Lapland | South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Finland

Abstract:

Solastalgia presents Arctic young people’s thoughts and feelings on climate change. The artwork was produced by Kanerva Kivistö and Sara Teperi, master’s students in Art Education, in collaboration with the On the Front Line of the Climate Crisis project. Project researchers and artists Aki Lintumäki and Korinna Korsström-Magga supervised the process. The project team facilitated an art-based action research process with students from Lyseonpuisto High School in Rovaniemi, Finland. At the end of the process, the high school students presented a performance and video installation at the evening reception of the Arctic Spirit conference in the winter of 2023. The event was attended by scientists and politicians.

The video artwork Solastalgia (2024) is a continuum of original artworks. This video is somewhere between an independent artwork and a documentation of the live performance that represented the meaning of winter for its participants. The artwork asks: What if winter as we know it does not exist in the future? The video artwork was produced within the On the Front Line of the Climate Crisis research project, coordinated by the Youth Research and Development Centre Juvenia of South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences and the University of Lapland. The project started in 2022 and will continue until the end of 2025. The project is funded by Kone Foundation, and it is carried out in Lapland, Eastern Finland, and Tampere region.