Highlights of the Project
Guarding the Baltic Sea

The Baltic Sea is a unique habitat—but also a fragile ecosystem increasingly under pressure. Climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss threaten the delicate balance of the sea. Against this backdrop, the project brought together artists from Finland, Germany, France, Estonia, and Poland on Vartiosaari in the Helsinki archipelago.

As part of the residency program, the participating international artists explored the element of water from an artistic perspective. They explored water-related themes in dialogue with students, scientists, and experts from various disciplines. During their stays, they created photographs, films, sound installations, and design objects that made the sea audible, visible, and tangible.

The exhibition Reimagining Our Future with the Baltic Sea at Venturo Studio in Espoo showcased the outcomes of the art residencies on Vartiosaari island and the artists’ perspectives on marine habitats and the ecological challenges facing the Baltic Sea. The exhibition opened to nearly 100 guests, and continued to attract visitors throughout September and October.

Visitors were invited to discover new ways of engaging with the sea. Design objects encouraged rethinking algae as a regenerative resource and sustainable material. Sound installations made seaweed life cycles audible, while photographs highlighted chemical processes and the effects of global warming and oxygen depletion on the Baltic Sea and its surroundings. The exhibition aimed to inspire reflection and dialogue on how art and design can contribute to a more sustainable and imaginative relationship with the Baltic Sea.

The multidisciplinary conference brought together researchers, artists, and decision-makers to discuss the challenges facing the Baltic Sea and to explore concrete solutions. The conference emphasized the importance of combining scientific knowledge with the emotional power of art to inspire action and broaden public engagement. The program included expert talks, artistic performances, and a panel discussion focused on identifying concrete steps for the future of the Baltic Sea.
 

A heartfelt thanks to all artists, partners, collaborators, and visitors who made the project come to life. Your support and engagement helped bring new perspectives to the ecological challenges facing our marine environments.

We are also pleased that the project gained significant media attention and a social media reach of over 300,000. Notably, the German cultural program 3sat Kulturzeit featured a story about the initiative, helping to further amplify its reach and impact.

The project laid the foundation for future collaborations in ocean literacy and environmental action and sparked valuable conversations and creative approaches to sustainability. We are excited to share that there are plans to continue and further develop this initiative in the future – stay tuned!