Hard rain inspires discussion

Aalto students have organised a series of exhibitions and seminars in cooperation with the globally recognised Hard Rain project. The aim of the project is to increase understanding of the state of the environment and encourage them to participate in preventing an ecological crisis.

The series of four events will begin with the Whole Earth? exhibition, which will launch simultaneously at universities in England, Scandinavia and Australia. The message of WHOLE EARTH? is that the young people of today are the first generation affected by environmental changes and, as a result, the future belongs to them. The exhibition provides information about climate change in order to facilitate participation in discussion of the future.

The Whole Earth? exhibition was created by environmental photographer Mark Edwards. During his career, he has travelled the world to document the environment and changes. Highly respected sustainable development expert Lloyd Timberlake produced the written parts of the exhibition. The Stockholm Resilience Centre is also supporting the project by providing the latest research information on sustainable development and the limits of our planet's tolerance.

At the same time, Whole Earth? will mark the opening of the new beta_SPACE exhibition facility. The space is located on the Otaniemi campus, and is intended to serve as a meeting point for the six schools of Aalto University. The programme at the exhibition space is being put together by a group of students who want to provide content that presents different art, technology, business and science viewpoints.

WHOLE EARTH? will be open 1–18 September 2015 at Otakaari 1 X, Otaniemi, Espoo.

Hard Rain Goes Aalto events in September:

Hard Rain Goes Aalto seminar
17 September, 13–16
Sampo Hall, Hämeentie 135 C, Helsinki

The Hard Rain Goes Aalto seminar will provide tools for understanding the causes of climate change and taking action on the subject. Presentations will include Systems Thinking by Katri-Liisa Pulkkinen (Aalto University researcher), State of the World by Liisa Rohweder (Secretary General of WWF Finland), and Activism by Sini Harkki (Programme Manager of Greenpeace Nordic in Finland).

De-Signed Futures exhibition

Opening 17 September at 17.00, 18 September–15 October 2015
Node Gallery, Hämeentie 135 C, 5th floor, Helsinki

The De-signed futures art exhibition asks *Who is responsible?" and how are the question and responsibility related to direct activities? The exhibition presents works by Pauliina Leikanen and Riikka Keränen, who are members of the Mustarinda artist collective. Works completed as part of the Oakolo collaboration project will also be displayed at the exhibition (Suvi Ermilä, Pia Grüter, Thomas Heib, Riikka Keränen, Pia Lindman, Niko Nurmi and Emilio Zamudio-Murillo).

The Present We Want, The Futures We are Building
18 September, 11.00–17.30
Node Gallery, Hämeentie 135 C, 5th floor, Helsinki

The event brings together Aalto students, researchers and guests to discuss and share ideas about how to build a favourable future amidst a crisis. The discussion will include viewpoints related to natural resources, financial practices and cultural measures. The invited speakers will each give a short presentation, but the aim is for all participants to be involved in discussing the topics.

The following Aalto students were responsible for organising the exhibition and events: Jovana Kacavenda  (CoID programme), Oona Casalengo (Creative Sustainability programme) and Dahlia El Broul and Emilio Zamudio (Department of Art's ViCCA programme).

Further information: http://mediafactory.aalto.fi/hard-rain-goes-aalto/