AREFS taide ja kulttuuri ry is supporting and developing art and culture programs and projects in the rural area of east Finland.

3. The ridge Saksalanharju is situted on the biggest monolith of Europe.
Registration number:
MOR-Y06-049
Types: drumlin
Height: 168 meter
Length: 5 499 meter
Width: 1 600 meter
Saksalanharju is together with the original village of
Haukivuori = Haukivuori kirkonkylä an official protected
national heritage, because of the drumlin, the
landscape and the historical value.
The area on the monolith and around is full of swamps
and still peat cutting is important. The swamp fields are
remarkable areas in the landscape. When the roots of
old trees are put on piles it gives a mysterious feeling.
In the swamps in Tuulimiemi are the anual volleyball
games.
Agriculture and forestry are the main activities on
Saksalanharhuju.
The hill is one of most fruitfully of the area.
AREFS taide ja kulttuuri ry will develop and support the
participation of the local society in cultural and artistic
activities.

4. AREFS taide ja kulttuuri ry will develop and support the participation
of the local society in cultural and artistic activities.
CULTURAL ARTISTS-IN- ART
TOURISM RESIDENCE EDUCATION
ARTISTS
ART COURSES SYMPOSIUMS
ART
ART & BUSINESS EXHIBITIONS SOCIETY
AREFS will connect local and foreign contacts to get an inspiring
(temporary international) society in the rural area of eastern Finland.

5. projects AREFS supports and/or organizes
taidekirppujen yö
HAUKIVUORI MUISTOISSAMME
concerts and recitals
excursions
VIA.ARS.NATURA, the way to art and nature
VIA.ARS.NATURA, Mikkelipuisto
VIA.ARS.NATURA – a cultural road -
crossroads SAKSALANHARJU
TRIANGLE ROCK
artist scholarship – artist-in-residence
art and art education symposiums
MASTER CLASSES AND RESIDENCIES ART AND ART EDUCATION
OpeArtEdu
art and cultural exchange schools
children’s forest
children’s LABYRINTH

6. TAIDEKIRPPUJEN YÖ
annual art fair HAUKIVUORI
The TAIDEKIRPPUJEN YÖ is an annual art fair in Haukivuori.
The program is based on a various offer of artistic presentations in the field of
visual art, music, performances and theater for all ages.
Artists in the artist-in-residence program can participate in the program.
MAMI WATA
LABYRINTH DISCOVERING
ANCIENT BEAR CULT
BLUE TRANE JAZZ BAND

7. HAUKIVUORI MUISTOISSAMME
HAUKIVUORI MUISTOISSAMME
is a series of exhibitions
in the AllaprimA MuseuM
about the history of Haukivuori
The first exhibition took place in 2007

8. HAUKIVUORI MUISTOISAMME
Every year the exhibition has another theme.
It is the intention to collect the stories and
pictures from the past to keep the history alive.

9. CONCERTS and RECITALS
organ:
Adrie van der Padt
Henk de Croon
singer:
Anne-Mari Salo
Marja Booy
Marja Mattlar
marimba:
gregor grigoryev
flute:
cathrin Bull

10. EXCURSIONS and LECTURES
AREFS organizes excursions to
art exhibitions
cultural events planned excursion:
concerts August 2009 Kalevala in Ateneum Helsinki
Autumn 2009 Picasso in Ateneum Helsinki
theater planned lectures
excursion art center Salmela
interesting cities wine from Valamo by father Andreas
and lectures about
art and art production
artists
art history
projects
local and regional history
wine
Matti Mattson etc
experiences about
Jolanda Schouten
art and dialogue
Pirjo Siiskonen about art and education
telling about the
history of Haukivuori

11. VIA.ARS.NATURA, the way to art and nature
OBJECTIVES
AREFS taide ja kulttuuri ry is planning VIA.ARS.NATURA, the way to art and nature a program to develop new
facilities and actions in the countryside and to develop a network of people living near old (historic) routes in the
hinterland of the main roads and start a co-operation with professional (international) artists. Through the program,
the cultural environment will undergo a development initiative and will also have an influence on (international)
visitors and travelers with cultural and ecological interests.
lucien den arend - dordrecht - nl
VISION
The program VIA.ARS.NATURA will be an overall and wide-range program of nationally and internationally
significant artworks along old (historic) routes and paths in the countryside. These art works will be grown or made
from the ingredients/elements of, or specifically related to the landscape and geology of the area. The use of
these different components, like forests, plants, peat, earth, rock(s) and water will visualize the characteristics of
nature and authentic roads in South-East Finland.
A commission program will ensure that the artworks link up to form a complete and coordinated idea and
project. The program will help to improve bio-diversity and to create new habitats and utilize green and
sustainable processes for procurement and methods of working wherever possible. The plan is based on the
strategy to strengthen the cultural and natural image of the rural area. The plan will be executed in different parts
over a period of years.
http://www.arefs.org/projects/via-ars-natura.html

12. VIA•ARS•NATURA, the way to art and nature
– pilot project MIKKELIPUISTO and SAKSALANHARJU -
OBJECTIVES
The working group – MIKKELIPUISTO and SAKSALANHARJU - is planning an art
plan in the region of Mikkeli as a part of the main project VIA.ARS.NATURA .
The pilot-project is based on nature and art in Mikkelipuisto and Saksalanharju.
The purpose of this sub-project is to develop on the two locations in Mikkeli and
Haukivuori an attractive environment through art and nature for different
target groups.
The project will give added value to the area of the new gardens and the forest-
LABYRINTH with temporary and permanent nature and site specific art.
The project is based on the need to integrate art in landscape and in the
personal living environment and to involve people with new forms of
landscape design and the added value of art in it.
Environmental art has no barriers like art in museums, people don't have to open
to art, but art opens to people.
This project will contribute to the cultural diversity of the region and increase the
number of (international) visitors.
Through this project Mikkeli can distinguish itself – not only through its nature – but
also by way of art and design.

13. VIA•ARS•NATURA, the way to art and nature
– pilot project MIKKELIPUISTO and SAKSALANHARJU -
CONTENT
The works in the project can be created for short or long term - as temporary or
permanent works - integrated and site specific.
The area can be enriched with long-term planted and growing artwork,
designed to fit in with the existing native trees and other plants.
There are many possibilities for this kind of art works like trees being woven,
pleached, grafted and pruned into living sculpture.
Areas of trees and/or bushes planted to form graphic shapes. Grass used to
create visual images. Waterways altered with stone and trees. Earthworks and
land shaping (landscaping) used as constructive elements.
Landscape structures and planting which can give direction to the visitor.
Temporary works can may be pre-existing, commissioned or invited for
exhibition and relate specifically to the landscape or geology of Etelä-Savo,
for instance sculptures that could be sited to draw attention to the agriculture
or glacial history in the area.
Conservation, bio-diversity and habitat are also items that can be included in the
art works.

14. VIA•ARS•NATURA, the way to art and nature
– pilot project MIKKELIPUISTO and SAKSALANHARJU -
Mikkelipuisto
Mikkelipuisto Park is an entity under construction right near the centre of Mikkeli, and the aim is to
turn it into the leading centre for horticultural tourism in Eastern Finland. In the park join the area's
varied nature, the recreation areas and the model gardens planned and built by companies.
Together these will constitute a high-class visiting attraction for amateurs, professionals, and
tourists. The total area of the park that will develop on the lands of the town amounts to 42
hectares.
Mikkelipuisto will be an important cultural attraction without an equal in Finland.
The workgroup has applied for funding to realize the exhibition 2009, unfortunately without result.
Thanks to some companies the exhibition in 2009 has been supported for the transport of the
sculptures and through the artists by making their works available for free.
. http://www.arefs.org/projects/mikkelipuisto-saksalanharju.html

15. VIA•ARS•NATURA, the way to art and nature
– pilot project MIKKELIPUISTO and SAKSALANHARJU -
Saksala ArtRadius
Art centre Saksala ArtRadius has the expertise for organizing art symposiums, art commissions
and art programs for professional artists. There is a growing international network of art
organizations in which Saksala ArtRadius participates. The art centre is also a pioneer of
innovative art and cultural tourism. The organization is developing a combination of programs,
tenders, projects and events in the field of art and culture for a range of target groups of different
cultures and ages. The location on Saksalanharju is becoming a unique cultural area and a
meeting point for local and regional people and international visitors for involvement with art,
artists, and art activities. The art centre is creating the tools for improving the cultural reputation of
the whole region.
http://www.arefs.org/projects/mikkelipuisto-saksalanharju.html
varol topaç - turkey marijke bongers – the netherlands

16. VIA•ARS•NATURA, the way to art and nature
– pilot project MIKKELIPUISTO and SAKSALANHARJU -
exhibition 2009
In 2009 selected sculptures from Lucien den Arend, Kari Huhtamo and from Saksala ArtRadius
(Yildiz Güner, Mari Shields, Jaak Hillen and Veli Blakçori) will be present in the first summer
exhibition.
Lucien den Arend also has designed a temporary landart project in the field.
. http://www.arefs.org/projects/mikkelipuisto-saksalanharju.html

17. VIA.ARS.NATURA, the way to art and nature
a cultural road
Haukivuori-route: Karhuntie-Lemettilänte-Taulumäentie
OBJECTIVES
This phase of the project will be focused on the realization of some art works near
the route and with the promotion of local products of the involved farmers. It is the
intention to co-operate with the people living in this part of Saksalanharju/Lietjärvi
to bring their culture to the attention of visitors, tourists and regional people.
In the pilot-project we will start with practical executions on a part of the old road
Haukivuori-Mikkeli, Karhuntie-Lemettiiäntie-Taulumäentie.
This road starts just after the junction towards Kalvitsa and ends on the Saksalantie.
The route passes the monolith Saksalanharju, the characteristic fields of Lietjärvi,
art centre Saksala ArtRadius and carpenter RISLAPUU.
The project did not get funding for the moment.

18. VIA.ARS.NATURA, the way to art and nature
a cultural road
Ensimmäinen vaihe – pilottihanke
Haukivuori: Karhuntie – Lemettiläntie – Taulumäentie
Hankkeen ensimmäisessä vaiheessa keskitytään muutaman taideteoksen toteuttamiseen ja mukana olevien
asukkaiden tuotteiden esittämiseen. Pilottihankevaiheessa haluamme aloittaa käytännön toteutuksen vanhalla
Haukivuori – Mikkeli tieosuudella: Karhutie – Lemettiläntie – Taulutie. Tämä tie alkaa heti Kalvitsaan vievästä
tienristeyksestä ja päättyy Saksalantielle. Tämä reitti ylittää Saksalanharju-monoliitin: Lietjärven luonteenomaiset
pellot, Saksala ArtRadius- taidekeskuksen ja RISLAPUU puuseppäverstaan
* Yhdessä paikallisten asukkaiden kanssa haluamme tutkia ja dokumentoida tälle maaseutualueelle ominaisia
luonnoon ja kulttuuriin liittyviä piirteitä. Tälläisia ovat esim. pellot, aidat, kiviaidat, heinäseipäät ja -paalit , puupinot ja
juurakkokasat jne. , sekä pihapiirit ja tallentaa ne tietokantaan.
*Paikallisten ryhmittymien kanssa aloitamme kehittää ideoita, tuotteita, osallistumis - ja avustustapoja, jotka voivat
olla osa tämän reitin identiteettiä.
*Tutkimme, onko mahdollista tuoda maisemaan paikkasidonnaista taidetta ja ympäristötaidetta, jotka kiinnittäisivät
ohikulkijan huomio perinteelliseen maan- ja metsänviljelyyn, ja saman aikaisesti, nykytaiteeseen.
*Pilottihankkeen aikana on tärkeää, että eri ihmiset voivat kehittää ideoita ja osaltaan myötävaikuttaa siihen, että
uusia elementtejä syntyy heidän omaan ympäristöönsä.
* Muille asukkaille tulemme järjestämään esityksiä hankkeen kehityksestä ja yhteisön osallistumisen myötä tuoda
nykytaidetta lähemmäksi ihmisiä. Tulemme ottamaan myös koulut mukaan projektiin.
*Pilottihankkeen aikana etsimme rahoitusta jatkotoimenpiteille. sekä VIA.ARS.NATURA taideluontoreittihankkeen
aloittamista ja toteuttamista varten.
*Lopuksi pilottihanke julkaistaan suomeksi ja englanniksi nettisivuilla (jotka täytyy vielä rakentaa), jotta tulos on
kansainvälisen yleisön nähtävissä.
*Pilottihanke mahdollistaa sen, että aitoon suomalaiseen maalaisympäristöön voidaan kehittää reitti, jonka varrella
on pysyviä nähtävyyksiä.
*Osana pilottihankkeeseen kuuluu etsiä innovatiivisia ympäristötaideprojekteja ulkomailta ja kehittää samanlaisten
projektien kansainvälinen verkosto. Tämän pilottihankeen puitteisiin ei kuulu tutustua näihin kohteisiin.
Myöhäisemmässä vaiheessa muutamiin näistä voidaan tutustua paikan päällä.

19. crossroads SAKSALANHARJU
a new collaborative project for international artists
project group:
marja de jong - finland
tiina suhonen – norway
lucien den arend – finland
ian newbery - sweden
. ilse van den berk - the netherlands
image ©2008 behrouz rae
image ©2006 sarawut chutiwongpeti
The collaboration project –crossroad SAKSALANHARJU– engages international multi-disciplinary dialogue between
active arts professionals. Artists from Nordic countries exchange and collaborate with artists from Europe. The artists
meet each other on the same crossroad. It is this crossing that identifies the impact of place on an artist’s practice.
CROSSROADS SAKSALANHARJU will be carried out in art centre Saksala ArtRadius, Haukivuori, Finland.
This project will start in August 2009 with the first collaboration session between Ilse van den Berk and Tiina Suhonen.
the project is already funded by:
haukivuoren
aluejohtokunta

20. crossroads SAKSALANHARJU
a new collaborative project for international artists
image ©2006 sarawut chutiwongpeti image ©2008 behrouz rae
In an intense dialogue the arts As a part of the project the To get involved with the location the
professionals will communicate verbally artists will also participate, artists also need to explore the
and visually. This dialogue takes place keep and produce environment, the nature and the
during 4-6 weeks on one or more art together with local and Finnish local rural culture (forestry
works, drawings, paintings, installations, other interested culture and agriculture).
side specific art, sculptures, video and a workers. That will influence The impact of place is different for
mixed media. The result will be art and improve the local every artist.
created by minimum two artists. The craftsmanship and is With all these different backgrounds
selected artists will have to collaborate valuable for the artistic and all these different influences of
with each others and challenge them so exchange. the place, the outcome of this
they can cross their own boundaries in project will show the uniqueness of
their work and receive new influences. the place where it is created.
marja de jong lucien den arend ilse van den berk tiina suhonen ian newbery
haukivuoren
aluejohtokunta

21. crossroads SAKSALANHARJU
a new collaborative project for international artists
In the pilot-project CROSSROADS SAKSALANHARJU, migrant and native artists from Nordic countries and Europe will
exchange and collaborate with each other. This will challenge them to cross the boundaries in their work and
experience new influences. This crossing identifies the impact of place on an artist’s practice. New forms of
expression and communication are anticipated to produce intense dialogue that the professional artists will
communicate verbally and visually. The atmosphere in landscape and climate, and the mood and attitude of the
people living more or less isolated in the country side in the NORDIC region will offer the specific impressions to the
artists.
The large monolith SAKSALANHARJU was already for hundreds of years a significant mark in the landscape where
travelers crossed from different directions. The project initiates through art production by collaborating migrant and
native artists the attention to the unique exploring of the NORDIC region. In this project, it is interesting that the
national heritage SAKSALANHARJU will be viewed through the eyes of professional observers of different origin with
the specific goal to shape a concrete impression. By borrowing the eyes of an outsider, locals can see their culture
and landscape in a new light and from a different angle.
This project will stimulate Nordic cultural exchange and increase awareness of historical and cultural knowledge in
a Nordic context. It will develop democratic access to cultural participation, also for rural areas. With the
contribution from different funds the exchange and collaboration of migrant Nordic artists will create new forms of
expression and communication. It is this migration what is important to develop the specific historic and culture
value of the Nordic rural areas. Think global and act local is reformulated in this project: act locally, but with a
global effect.
haukivuoren
aluejohtokunta

22. global project Here, There and Everywhere: Anticipating the Future of Art
sojourn in white
international collaboration project
artist-in-residence
accepted into TransCultural Exchange Boston USA
martti karttunen
director mikkeli museums
kirsimaria törönen-ripatti
chairman regional arts council
curator
claire watson australia
artists
artists at work behrouz rae iran shows
ilse van den berk the netherlands 1.-31.5.2008
AllaprimA MuseuM
art centre Saksala ArtRadius
Haukivuori - Finland
1.11.-7.12.2008 Cowwarr Art Space
Cowwarr – Victoria - Australia
13.12.2008 - 24.1.2009
Maffra Exhibition Space
this project shows how Maffra - Victoria – Australia
CROSSROADS SAKSALANHARJU April 2009
can develop Trans CulturalExchange
Boston USA

23. TRIANGLE ROCK PROJECT
MAIN OBJECTIVES
The Dutch cultural organization AllaprimA Foundation is planning to initiate co-operation with art residency partners from
Turkey, Spain and Finland at site specific, rural rock environs. The final aim is to create a European network to investigate
and exchange, collaborate and produce international multidisciplinary dialogue in new forms of art production on
exceptional European locations..
TURKEY SPAIN FINLAND
The co-operation is based on practical working with the same intention under similar conditions with different specifics.
The partners are existing and equipped residencies, small and personal, located in ecological sensitive environments,
with original solutions for art production and a close relationship with the local society. The cultural diversity and the
specific areas of the different locations are the sources for the collaboration of the artists.
http://www.arefs.org/projects/triangle-rock-project.html

24. TURKEY
The environment of Cappadocia (Central
Turkey) is part of the Silk Road and a unique
shaped landscape with historical decorated
rock churches and pigeon houses cut in
volcanic tufa stone. Cappadocia is an
UNESCO world heritage site with open-air
museums like underground cities and
authentic historical villages, where
inhabitants still live the farmer life of
hundreds of years ago.

25. SPAIN
The natural environment of the high Catalan Pyrenees Mountains - defined by
woods with both conifers and deciduous trees, hay fields, steep pastures and
craggy rocks - combines with the authenticity of the cultural, architectural
and social heritage. Farrera is the highest village in the Coma de Burg and
the first of many written references to Farrera’s existence dates back over
1,000 years, but the original human settlement was undoubtedly founded well
before then.

26. FINLAND
The national heritage SAKSALANHARJU-
KIRKONKYLÄ, located on the biggest monolith
of Europe, is an ancient settlement site.
Saksala is an old neighborhood with tranquil
landscape, designed with fields, forests and
lake. The authentic rural area has a pure and
traditional culture, based on agriculture and
forestry. The main village Haukivuori has now
a days a multicultural mix of inhabitants.

27. artist-in-residence
scholarship, master classes and exchange
• The artist-in-residence gives artists
from all over the world the
possibility to get in contact with
the culture of quit isolated local
societies in the rural area of
eastern Finland.
• The surrounding creates
conditions to work on the
individual art production.
• The artists can be partners in the
artistic and cultural exchange
with the local people, youngsters
and regional artists.
• Through exhibitions,
performances, lectures and
workshops the artists can show
their individual interests, personal
view and influence of the stay on
their art.
• Scholarships make it possible for
artists to participate in the artist-
in-residence, art exchange or
master class program of art
centre Saksala ArtRadius.

28. symposiums
less is more 2005
brigitte sasshofer austria behrouz rae
fereshte moosavi
iran
janina rudnicka poland
source of art 2008
kiril prashkov bulgaria
jaak hillen belgium
veli blakçori kosovo
varol topaç
rumen dimitrov bulgaria ton kalle turkey
the netherlands
homo erectus 2006
varol topaç turkey
marijke bongers
yildiz guner turkey the netherlands
mari shields usa/nl
roland de jong-orlando
the netherlands
louche rumenia
in art centre Saksala ArtRadius

29. forest-LABYRINTH
ulrika sparre sweden irene anton germany
a place for unexpected artistic experiences for artists, visitors and children
irene anton germany
varol topaç turkey marijke bongers the netherlands behrouz rae iran

30. MASTER CLASSES AND RESIDENCIES
ART AND ART EDUCATION
The innovative program for MASTERCLASSES AND RESIDENCIES ART AND ART EDUCATION will explore the facilities
and expertise available for art and art education for students. The keywords are art, creativity, education and
civilization. The program will include space and individual guidance and supervising during master classes,
seminars and residencies. It is the intention to create programs for art students to work on their thesis, their art
production and also to study special subjects in art education. The program will also contribute to the English
language skills, what is important to participate in an international network. The idea has the warm support of the
Chairman, Kirsimaria Törönen-Ripatti and Secretary-General Riitta Moisander of Etelä-Savon Taidetoimikunta. Both
experts are very interested and involved in increasing the quality of this fields in art and art education.
The special center for young artists and art teachers will create a qualified education area in Etelä-Savo. There is
already interest to cooperate and also to organize art education seminars. The Joutsenon opisto in Lappeenranta
and Etelä-Karjalan AMK in Imatra are interested in the possibilities for their students. De KUNSTLINIE – Almere – the
Netherlands, IAE – Vienna – Austria, Vocational school for traditional culture – St Petersburg, Russia and the
cooperation for art education consultants in the Netherlands are interesting partners.
The purpose of the program MASTERCLASSES AND RESIDENCIES ART AND ART EDUCATION is to set up and carry out
in art centre Saksala ArtRadius innovative forms of additional education for students and masters. This program will
add and develop new, innovative and permanent education projects. The content of the program will be related
to relevant parts in the curriculum of art schools, art academies and art education departments of universities.

31. OpeArtEdu
international art education project in cooperation with Mikkeli schools
partners:
Etelä-Savon Taidetoimikunta FIN
education department Mikkeli city FIN
art centre Saksala ArtRadius FIN
CKV de KUNSTLINIE Almere NL
OpeArtEdu is a project to increase the professional artistic skills of teachers,
educators and consultants and to develop the curriculum of art education.
In the project are art education symposiums –NATURALLY ART-, a program with
teachers of Mikkeli schools and a lecture and workshop program in
cooperation with CKV de KUNSTLINIE ALMERE NL
artists in the artist-in-residence program
can participate in the project

32. exchange schools
international art education project with school in Haukivuori
Exchange schools is a program
where schools from different
countries will stay in art centre
Saksala ArtRadius for an art
program and in the same time
participate in the school art
program of Haukivuori school . The
program is based on artistic,
cultural and social exchange and
development.
The first exchange has started in
spring 2009 with the special music
department of Koning Willem II
college in Tilburg, the Netherlands.

33. children’s forest
The children’s forest is a developing area in the yard of Saksala ArtRadius. On
several places children can build their own constructions to play in it. The intention
is to create a world where children of different cultures can exchange their
experiences of building. The children’s forest will be a permanent area to play, to
work, to change and to construct.
Together with artists new ideas can develop.
Artists in the artist-in-residence program can participate in the project.

34. exhibitions
shows

35. lucien den arend behrouz rae -basement marie-julie jacquet behrouz rae - attic
jolanda schouten
ilse van den berk
kiril prashkov
sojourn in white
ilse van den berk
behrouz rae
jaak hillen
exhibitions
jean-christophe piette roland de jong-orlando eva häkkinen

36. membership AREFS
to participate in the local and regional cultural and artistic diversity

37. membership AREFS
to participate in the local and regional cultural and artistic diversity

38. welcome to AREFS