Hirsitium arbor

In the picture is Matti Kuronen's installation Cotton tree - Hirsitium arbor.  It is part of Finlayson Palace's garden exhibition.  

Story behind of Kuronen's work: 

Cotton tree (Hirsitium arbor) is protected and endangered species. These Cotton trees in the Finlayson Palace park are the only Cotton trees that are left in Finland. Earlier they were very common in the Pirkanmaa region. 
Energy of Tammerkoski rapids and huge Cotton tree forests enabled the revolution of textile factories at the Tammerkoski rapids in the beginning of 1800 century. Finlayson's textile factory thrived until 1960's. Then almost all Cotton trees were cut down. Cotton trees bear cotton only couple of years and farmland was also needed. Cotton (Gossypium hirsitium) was imported from overseas, which rose production costs. That's the reason why fabrics of Finlayson are now manufactured outside of Finland.

Leevi left to Hervanta and Emma has hired a summer cottage from Himos with her friends for a weekend. Me, hubby and Peetu had a lovely sunny evening walk. Earlier it poured rain, with thunder and lighting. 

Today is Helene Schjerfbeck's birthday, 10 July is also Finland's national day for the painted arts.

I finished the last painting today, three days before taking them to the gallery! :)


+17°C, sunny morning, rainy day, sunny evening