Leaf Print Garden
15.10.2025
Tuira Enchanted
15.10.2025
Antti Tolvi
Location → Korkeasaari, Pikisaari
What is the difference between a human and a bird?
Answer: When it is windy, a human instinctively turns their back towards the wind, a bird its beak.
Antti Tolvi’s sound installation “Ihmisen ja linnun ero” (The difference between a human and a bird) is located in Pikisaari, Oulu. The artwork asks us a simple question: Which way do we turn when the wind blows? Do we find the answer by facing things or do we turn our backs on them?
In the artwork, bass organ pipes are placed upright on the ground in the formation of the letter V. Each pipe has a small electric motor inside that blows air into the organ whistle, creating a sound. In calm weather, all the organ pipes play, whilst in windy weather, the soundscape varies. The mechanics of the artwork’s sound formation is the same as in a fipple flute: When the wind starts blowing, due to the direction of the wind, some of the organ pipes go out, because the wind hits the part of the organ pipe where the sound is formed. The organ plays in its full tone if the wind hits the tip of the V shape. If the wind blows directly towards the V-shaped opening, the organ is silent. And everything in between, depending on wind direction and speed.
The soundscape of the artwork is quiet and gentle. The viewer must stand close to the organ pipes to be able to hear the sound created by the wind. The meditative artwork makes the immaterial force of nature visible and audible and invites you to stop and sense the environment in a holistic way.
The work will be donated to the Oulu City Collection.
Image by Kati Leinonen
Accessibility
Accessibility for people with reduced mobility: The work is located on Korkeasaarenpolku, Pikisaari. The route leading to the work is asphalt and a dirt road. The nearest parking lot is located next to the Korkiasaari tennis court, approximately 300 meters from the work. There are also parking lots on Pikisaarentie, which are approximately 500-800 meters from the work. The nearest benches are near the work, next to Korkeasaarenpolku.
Accessibility through the senses: A sound art work that can be experienced by hearing and seeing. The work can be touched.
Image gallery
Artist:
Antti Tolvi
Antti Tolvi (b. 1977 Panelia) is a sound artist and performer from Turku/Kemiönsaari. Tolvi is one of the key players in the field of experimental music in Finland, and has been a performer and artist since 2002. Today, Tolvi works with sound art. Tolvi has performed on three continents and released 20 solo records. In the years 2016–2025, Tolvi has had more than 20 solo exhibitions and participated in several group exhibitions. His works have been his works have been exhibited in e.g. Mältinranta Artcenter, Tampere (2024), Porvoo Art Hall (2023), Sibelius Museum, Turku (2023), Flow Festival, Helsinki (2013, 2014, 2018, 2022), Rovaniemi Art Museum (2022), Helsinki Festival (2021), Musica nova festival, Helsinki (2021), Helsinki Biennale (Teemu Lehmusruusu’s collaborative group 2021), Pori Art Museum (2020) and Tampere Biennale (2018).
Tolvi’s works are multi-sensory installations, spatial experiences and performances in which sound plays a central role. In his works, Tolvi gives sound a visual form. He has composed, among other things, for wind chimes (multi-channel fan system), body sensations (sound beds and sound sofas), touch (two-way performances) and lights (as a lighting composer).
