14.2.2008

Achim Kühn (1942–)

Harmonia (Harmony)

Achim Kühn: Harmony, 1996 Photo: WAM / Mikaela Lostedt

1996

Acid-resistant steel, height 6,3 m

Fountain sculpture

Aurajoki river, guest harbour

The sculpture "Harmonia" is a fine example of a successful combination of the natural environment, modern technological possibilities and the imagination of the artist. During the dark seasons, the sculpture is illuminated and from May to October the sculpture acts as a fountain. The water pumped from Aurajoki river goes through the pipes inside the sculpture and flows down from the flukes of the whale through numerous small nozzles.

The top part of the sculpture, the flukes, are 6,8 m at the widest and they consist of 280 plates of forged, refined steel.

The plates of refined steel, the "scales", have been electrolytically processed to create a diverse, shiny and subtle colouring. The technology was developed in Germany.

Kühn's sculpture is also known as "Valaan pyrstö" (Flukes). It was acquired within the environmental art project.

Funds or other support for the sculpture was received from:

Metra Oy, Wärtsilä Diesel Oy, Oy Turku Energia Ab, Oy Hoteli Marina Ab, Arctia Hotel Ateljee, MV-rakennusyhtiö Juslenius, Kvaerner Masa-Yards. ABB Installaatiot Oy from Paimio was responsible for the water and lighting technology, financial support was received from Turun Vapaavarasto Oy, the documentation project has been sponsored by Finnair and TS-Yhtymä.