Kirsti Taiviola (FI) – Flying Bird with Seven Lenses

Event Introduction

Flying Bird with Seven Lenses is a reflection on the presence of invisible substances. We perceive the existence of air not by seeing it directly, but through its effects: leaves rustling, dust swirling in the wind. Watching a bird in flight reveals that it is carried by air—yet the air itself remains unseen.

At the heart of the work is a custom-built lens device composed of seven hand-blown glass lenses arranged in a circular structure. Each lens captures a phase of a bird’s wingbeat, forming a stop-motion loop projected as light.

Inspired by Eadweard Muybridge’s Galloping Horse and early animation, the work pays tribute to pre-digital motion studies and the craft of lens-making. The handmade glass introduces subtle distortions, making the image feel organic, fleeting—like air itself.

Kirsti Taiviola
Kirsti Taiviola is a visual artist exploring glass and light as mediums of perception. She creates handmade glass lenses and light projections that engage with themes of materiality, time, and authorship, while paying homage to the craft of glassmaking. In addition to her artistic practice, Taiviola works as a Lecturer in Glass at Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

Opening Hours:

Tue Jan 6th: 5 pm – 10 pm
Wed Jan 7th: 9 am – 10 pm
Thu Jan 8th: 9 am – 10 pm
Fri Jan 9th: 9 am – 10 pm
Sat Jan 10th: 10 am – 10 pm
Sun Jan 11th: 5 pm – 10 pm

Kanneltalo shines in festive lighting during Lux Helsinki!
Lighting design: Kanneltalo, Mirkka Saari and Katja Muttilainen
Implementation: Kujamedia Oy

In co-operation with:

Categories

Lux Kanneltalo, Additional Programme

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