IronNotes : Metal Art Today
17.6.2025 09.30–17.00
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Participate in person – LAB & LUT Lappeenranta Campus , Yliopistonkatu 36, 53850 Lappeenranta
Participate virtually – Streaming available
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The seminar on Tuesday, June 17, explores public art and metalwork through the lens of art education, contemporary sculpture, and sustainable practices. Topics include artistic approaches to working with metal, ecologically sustainable public art procurement, and innovations in low-carbon steel and metalworking technologies. The seminar is held in English and is free to attend.
Programme
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09:30 | Coffee & registration at Lappeenranta campus
10:00 | Welcome
What is IronNotes?
Public art education at LAB University af Applied Sciences,
Sampo Malin / LAB University af Applied Sciences
Creative Production: Bridging Art and Digital Manufacturing,
Ilkka Poutiainen and Marika Hirvimäki / LUT University
Graveyards – A Public Space for Blacksmiths?
Heiner Zimmermann / Gothenburg University
Q&A
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12:00 | Lunch (at own expense) & Workshop tours at Lappeenranta campus (pre-registration, limited places)
13:30 | Programme continues
Iron Vilnius: Contexts of Iron in History and Contemporary Art,
Jurgita Ludavičiené / Lithuanian National Museum of Art
Title to be confirmed, Kirsi Kaulanen
Twisted forms by sculptor Kimmo Schroderus, Kimmo Schroderus
Q&A
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15:00 | Coffee break
15:30 | Programme continues
Sustainable Visual Arts Network, Green Art calculator and Turku Ecological Guide for Public Art, Nina Toppila / Taidehalli and Saara Korpela / WAM Turku City Art Museum
Shaping the future with Fossil-free steels, Kalle Lipiäinen / LUT University
Q&A
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Closing Summary
What Next in IronNotes: European Biennial Show of Blacksmithing Art, Stia, Italy
17:00 | The seminar ends
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Speaker introductions
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Sampo Malin, Lecturer of Sculpture, LAB-university of applied sciences, Sculptor
Presentation: Public art education at LAB University af Applied Sciences
Works as a lecturer in LAB-university of applied sciences. Responsible for spatial arts education, coordinator of YAMK (master) studies focused in public art and art expert in Multidisciplinary process expertise in the collaboration of public art and urban planning -project.
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Marika Hirvimäki | Project researcher / LUT University
Presentation: Creative Production: Bridging Art and Digital Manufacturing
Marika Hirvimäki, M.Sc. (Tech.) has worked for 16 years as a project researcher at the Laser Processing Laboratory at LUT University (LUT Laser). She has been involved in research and innovation tasks that support the laboratory’s activities by writing national and international project applications and working as a project manager for multidisciplinary projects that integrate technology, business, and various pedagogical methods. Her contributions include the implementation of the Laser Art Residency and organizing 3D printing training courses for diverse target groups.
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Ilkka Poutiainen | Docent, Research Manager / LUT University
Presentation: Creative Production: Bridging Art and Digital Manufacturing
PhD Ilkka Poutiainen is a laser material processing specialist with almost 20 years’ experience in the field. He is currently a team leader and heads up the laboratory of Laser Processing and Additive Manufacturing. His expertise lies in different laser processes, optics, laser-material interaction, and monitoring and measuring systems. Additionally, llkka has 10 years’ experience as a research scientist for the Laboratory of Steel Structures, where he has worked on numerous projects related to the strength of welded structures. In his doctoral dissertation, he developed a FEM-based fatigue assessing method for fatigue loaded structures.
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Heiner Zimmermann | Professor of Metal Art / HDK University of Gothenburg
Presentation: Graveyards – A Public Space for Blacksmiths?
Heiner Zimmermann combines traditional forms with contemporary design and art. Growing up in his father’s forge, he developed a deep understanding of forging techniques and traditions. In 1991, he completed his formal training as the national champion and received the ”Good Design Award,” among other recognitions.
Supported by scholarships, he traveled and worked with renowned metal artists across Europe and the United States during his early career. He also pursued further studies in conservation and art history in Venice. After obtaining his master’s certificate in 1998, he took over his father’s forge in Pliezhausen.
Over the years, Heiner’s work has been exhibited internationally and has received awards. He also secured EU research funding to explore the role of blacksmiths in creating grave markers.
Heiner’s work respects the forging tradition and the materials while incorporating contemporary design elements. Each piece reflects a thoughtful process, balancing craftsmanship and modern needs.
Kirsi Kaulanen, Sculptor
Presentation: Title to be confirmed
The forms in sculptor Kirsi Kaulanen’s (b. 1969) works grow out of interwoven details and ornaments. Kaulanen works between public and independent art, playing with the scale of her sculptures. One of her most recent public works is the memorial to President Mauno Koivisto, Välittäjä (“The Mediator”), in Helsinki. In polished steel, the sculptor is fascinated by its immaterial quality—how light and reflections create constant change. “I want to sculpt something organic, delicately feminine, lace-like, out of hard steel.
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Jurgita Ludavičienė | Assoc. Prof, Lithuanian National Museum of Art/ Vilnius Academy of Art
Presentation; Iron Vilnius: Contexts of Iron in History and Contemporary Art
Dr. Jurgita Ludavičienė is a chief exhibition curator at the Lithuanian National Museum of Art, an art critic, and an associate professor at the Vilnius Academy of Arts. Her field of interest and research includes contemporary art, applied arts, author jewelry, and kitsch. Truth to material and the role of craftsmanship in contemporary art are especially important to her. She curates exhibitions in Lithuania and abroad, writes texts, edits books, and seeks connections between social processes and their expression in the artistic domain. Since 2014 she has organized and curated the METALLOphone biennial, the international event celebrating metal art and contemporary jewellery in Vilnius. She’s a member of AICA and the Lithuanian Artist’s Union.
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Kimmo Schroderus | Sculptor
Presentation: Twisted forms by sculptor Kimmo Schroderus
Kimmo Schroderus’ (b. 1970) career as a sculptor began in the 90s. His sculptures combine industrial materials and practices with an organic form language and traditional methods of sculpture, such as metal casting. His working process emphasizes the importance of the craft, of DIY, and a mastery of materials and techniques, as well as a striving to continually learn more. For Schroderus, his workspace is like a laboratory where he seeks out new ways of working on, shaping, or even deforming his materials. The long, arduous journey made by the sculptures to being finished works of art is a part of their content: it has to be visible from the execution of the sculpture that its creation has been a meaningful act for its maker.
Saara Korpela | Project coordinator, WAM Turku City Art Museum
Presentation: Sustainable Visual Arts Network, Green Art calculator and Turku Ecological Guide for Public Art
Saara Korpela has worked as the eco-coordinator for Finnish art organizations, such as IHME Helsinki, Frame Contemporary Art Finland, Helsinki International Artist Programme – HIAP, Mustarinda, and ANTI – Contemporary Art Festival, and currently WAM Turku City Art Museum. She has helped develop practices and tools for reducing environmental impacts. The Green Art calculator (vihreataide.fi) for calculating the carbon footprint of art productions and exhibitions was launched in April 2024, and the Ecological Guide for Public Art in Turku was published in May 2025, outlining opportunities for integrating sustainability into processes and contracts related to public art. Korpela has studied environmental protection, waste and water management, sustainable development as well as translation and interpretation.
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Kalle Lipiäinen | Post-doctoral researcher / LUT University
Presentation: Shaping the future with Fossil-free steels
Kalle Lipiäinen works as a postdoctoral researcher in the LUT University. The research work includes experimental testing and performance analysis of materials and structures. He has published forty scientific papers and helped industry to develop high performance products and structures with decreased CO2emissions.
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IronNotes Exhibition opening at Gallery Pihatto 17:30–19:30, Welcome
At Galleria Pihatto in Lappeenranta, partners of the IronNotes project and students from the LAB Institute of Design and Fine Arts will present their work together in a joint exhibition. The exhibition explores the theme of remembrance from various perspectives and features sculptures and sketches related to the topic. The participating project partners are internationally active and established artists. The exhibition opening takes place on Tuesday evening, June 17, from 17:30 to 19:30 at Galleria Pihatto –welcome!
In addition, on Wednesday, June 18, artists will present the exhibition to the public and demonstrate iron forging in live performances between 10 am – 2 pm.
The exhibition is open:
17.6. 10 AM – 8 PM and
18.6. 10 AM – 8 PM
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At the Borders of Iron (IronNotes) is a project focused on metal art, public art, and blacksmithing. It brings together professionals in the field, students, and the wide audience. The network will organize six different international IronNotes events, offering participants diverse opportunities for learning, sharing expertise, showcasing their artistic work, and networking around themes of public art and metal.
Project Co-funded by the European Union under the Creative Europe Programme.
