Antti Laitinen's Lichen Installation in Finnish Forest Addresses Climate Change for European Capital of Culture

Antti Laitinen creates a lichen-based installation for the "Climate Clock" exhibition opening June 13, 2026, as part of Oulu's European Capital of Culture programming. The 50-year-old artist collects various lichen species from across Finland, combining them into what he calls a "lichen cocktail" attached to two spheres made from branches. This immersive work stretches from Oulu's city center to surrounding forests, with lichen serving as an environmental indicator. Laitinen's childhood playground in central Finland's Koiteli forest inspires his exploration of how the world can survive climate challenges. Ten artists contribute to the sprawling installation that addresses climate urgency as winter snows melt. The artist emphasizes that environmental conditions, not his own intentions, determine which lichen species thrive or decline. Lichen's symbiotic relationship between fungus and algae offers potential hope for humanity's future. Laitinen believes experiencing this work helps understand both environmental changes and shifting human perceptions simultaneously.