Ahto changes according to the flow of visitors and explores the different states of water. Ahto is permanently on display in the Light Gallery of Lahti Museum of Visual Arts Malva.
Ahto explores the different states of water through visual material and the world of sound. It has borrowed its form language from water, but a video image of the actual liquid is not seen in the work. Gurgling, splashing, rushing, among other things, have been recorded for Ahto’s world of sound. The work invites the public to take a quiet moment, as the world of images and sound changes when a visitor stops at the work.
The title of the work, Ahto, is a variation of the name Ahti, the water god of Finnish mythology. Ahto also refers to pack ice, an uneven ice sheet formed from an accumulation of ice blocks.
Ahto is located in Malva’s 15 metres high lobby, the Light Gallery, which leads to all of the exhibitions. The multisensory work is specifically designed to be experienced in the Light Gallery. The design of the work takes into account the way museum visitors move in the space: the work constantly lives its own life through movement and the world of sound, but it comes to life in a different way when a museum visitor stops and looks at it.
Ahto utilises motion detection technology and a simulation algorithm to produce an ever-changing image and sound. The work can be viewed both from the first floor and from the Light Balcony, which is located on the third floor of the museum.
Working group
Ekho Collective: Minja Axelsson, Essi Huotari, Saara-Henriikka Mäkinen, Joonas Nissinen, Ilmari Pesonen, Kalle Rasinkangas and Iina Taijonlahti.
Ahto is made in collaboration with Malva museum.
In Ahto, I was responsible for concept development, interaction design, and production for Ekho Collective. Movement and social choreography play a big role in the work: the visitors influence the work as they move in the space.
Ahto is part of Malva’s art collection and will be on display in Malva until further notice.
https://www.malvamuseo.fi/en/discover/ahto/
https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12417635
https://www.lahti.fi/uutiset/ahto-vangitsee-malvan-valogalleriassa/