An artist residency based at the Kanta-Häme Rescue Department
In spring 2024, artist Anne Tamminen and designer Anni Knuutila took part in an artist residency based at the Kanta-Häme Rescue Department. Their residencies resulted in artworks for the department’s three new “artbulances”. These ambulances, which all contain works of art for passengers to enjoy, were already in operation in the area as part of a collaboration between Kanta-Häme Rescue Department and Hämeenlinna Art Museum, but this is the first time that brand new works have been created specifically with the new ambulances in mind.
Anne Tamminen and her art work Cloudscape (2024) in the roof of ”Artbulance”.
Artist residencies have previously been run in other healthcare settings, including hospitals and care homes, but Artbulance2 marks the first time one has been based at a rescue department. Hämeenlinna Art Museum ran an open call for participants in 2023. A jury comprising representatives from the museum and rescue department along with Arts Promotion Centre Finland chose Anne Tamminen and Anni Knuutila as the participating artists.
The Artbulance project was first launched in 2022 as a joint initiative between Hämeenlinna Art Museum and Kanta-Häme Rescue Department. During the project’s first year, decals of selected works from the Hämeenlinna Art Museum collection were installed on board 16 ambulances. Following positive feedback from passengers and staff, the decision was made to extend the project.
The project is supported by Arts Promotion Centre Finland and is also in receipt of additional innovation funding from the Finnish Heritage Agency.
Anni Knuutila:
”Shared Journey draws its inspiration from the experiences shared by the ambulance staff and the patients they care for and reflects the vast range of emotions that surface during ambulance journeys.”
Shared Journey, 2024 (detail)
Shared Journey is collaboration between the designer Anni Knuutila and a team of paramedics that ran in conjunction with an artist residency organised by Hämeenlinna Art Museum and Kanta-Häme Rescue Department in 2024.
The artwork takes its cue from the numerous discussions and creative workshops that took place as part of the residency and were an opportunity for staff to contribute to the creative process.
Anne Tamminen:
Cloudscape 2024, (detail)
Artist-in-residence Anne Tamminen designed Cloudscape at the Kanta-Häme Rescue Department as part of the Artbulance project. The aphorism and images were created by staff at the department.
Sound design: Timo Seppälä.
The photo and a poem by staff of the Rescue Department:
”Life is not just clear skies and sunshine. There are clouds too and days of rain. But they are what make life, life and the sunny days sweeter.”
