The latest Aalto University Magazine delves into the invisible

The theme of this issue echoes the main theme of this year’s Designs for a Cooler Planet exhibition, invisibility.

In the Openings section, Riikka Mäkikoskela, a visual arts teacher and researcher, describes invisibility as a challenging, even frightening concept for her. Mäkikoskela is Head of Radical Creativity at Aalto. ‘At the university, we are constantly at the edge of invisible. Relating to the invisible and the unknown in new ways requires courage – and even silly or dumb ideas – and a beginner’s approach. Creativity requires letting go in order to birth something new.’

The main article explores interaction and power dynamics. Three researchers from different fields – Einat Amir, Astrid Huopalainen, and Matti Nelimarkka – discuss the ways in which power can be wielded invisibly. 

In the Who section we meet Alma Muukka-Marjovuo, a Doctor of Arts and alumna whose diverse career in the arts has led to a position as Counsellor of Education at the Finnish National Agency for Education.

The On the go feature story takes us to the sources of creativity, through an upcoming documentary film on the concept of radical creativity practiced at Aalto University.

In the Dialogue section, researcher Maria Joutsenvirta and Professor Jani Romanoff examine the concept of resilience in the workplace, which seems to have become more of an obligation than a source of well-being.

The science articles delve into various topics, including the potential of Finnish clay to reduce the environmental impact of concrete and the tiny sensors that could assist farmers and forestry.

The digital version can be read on the issuu.com website. 

Selected articles are also published on aalto.fi/magazine.

Print copies are available throughout the Otaniemi campus.