New public artworks spread across the neighbourhoods of the Oulu River estuary invite residents and visitors to explore art in the urban landscape. The works can be experienced independently or on free guided tours, which continue throughout August.

On the guided walking and cycling tours, audience engagement specialist Hanna‑Leena Ruottinen introduces the stories behind the artworks. The cycling tour to Toppilansaari and Hietasaari proceeds at a calm pace and is suitable for all ages, including children accompanied by an adult. Near the breakwater in Toppilansaari, Anna Tahkola’s work “As time goes by” invites visitors to contemplate the passage of time. Along the popular paddleboarding and canoeing route in Mustasalmi, one can spot Pia Hentunen’s Epifyytit (Epiphytes), imaginary plants that do not naturally grow in Finland.

The tour also visits Sini Talonen’s Maan maan, which rises in the Mustasalmi park and invites visitors to step into its shelter. Sini Talonen herself will be present to talk about her work on the tour held on 22 August.

The briskly paced Jokisuisto cycling tour introduces public artworks on both sides of the estuary. This tour features many of the artworks in the ARToulu area, some of which are on display only until the end of August. Among the summer‑only works is Julijonas Urbonas’ moving lawn, which sets the viewer in motion and opens new perspectives on the surrounding environment. The work is located in Lohipadonniemi Park on Raatinsaari. Internationally renowned artist Julijonas Urbonas will be present during the tour on 29 August. A map of the ARToulu art area is available on the Oulu2026 map service and on the project’s website.

Dance piece as an Anti‑War Protest

The series of performances continues with a timely dance piece. fRAGilE, created by dance artist Kornelia Mangi, is a minimalist, site‑specific dance work – a movement installation made in solidarity with those affected by war. The piece intertwines fragility and rage, revealing the paradox of humanity and acting as a protest against war

The looping movement repeated in the urban space depicts vulnerability, the impossibility of escape, and the cycle of trauma. fRAGilE makes visible the somatic traces of war in both landscape and body, evoking empathy and reminding us that violence and suffering are not distant. They are part of our shared world. The solo performance will take place on Sunday 16 August at 13:00, beginning at Rotuaari Central Square and ending in front of Central Library Saari.

Kollʼješkuätt Sound Path at the Oulu Delta Art Days

At the end of August, Hupisaaret will host the sound path Kollʼješkuätt (21–23 August) by Tuuli Malla, Erja Taskinen, Tero Harju and Aimo Aikio. The work, presenting the life and sounds of the Skolt Sámi region, is part of the Estuary Art Days programme.

ARToulu Art Area is a public art project produced by Oulun Taiteilijaseura‑63 ry and part of the official programme of Oulu European Capital of Culture 2026.