The Magic of Lapland

On Tuesday I had the opportunity to go to

Ateneum , the Finnish National Gallery, to see

the Magic of Lapland exhibition.

It shows Lapland in art 

from the 1800s until today 

through almost 150 works of art

by 46 artists.

Two artists inspired me more than the others:

Reidar Särestöniemi 1925-1981

was born and spent most of his life in Kittilä.

He studied art in Helsinki and Paris,

traveled widely and depicted Lapland at different times of the year.

He supported nature conservation and the following 

borrowed quote was carved on his gravestone:

What befalls the land befalls the land's children. 

The rivers are our brothers. 

Animals, trees and people all breathe the same air.

If all the beasts were gone, 

man would die from a great loneliness of the spirit. 

For whatever happens to the beasts, 

soon happens to man; all things are connected.

Andreas Alariesto 1900-1989

was a self-taught artist who wanted to

teach the younger generations about

past times in Lapland through paintings,

photographs, stories, poems, sculptures

and miniature models.

The following tale goes with the painting above:

This shows how the Lapplander sets off in autumn to bring in the 

first reindeer for slaughter. He searches for a long time in the forest 

but it sometimes happens that the animal he thinks is best 

suited is standing on top of some rock or on the edge of 

a ravine, as in this picture. Then the Lapp thinks to himself  

'That would be just the thing, but if it's not used to people 

it might take fright and fall into the ravine'. But he throws 

his lasso even so, trusting to his own skill, and – just like here – 

the reindeer doesn't fall into the ravine, though it is a dangerous looking 

place. He manages to grab it firmly before it can fall. 

This picture illustrates that situation.