Mythology: Nature workshop

Mythology: Nature workshop
Forest Blanket

by Tarja Nieminen
by Gautam Vishwanath
by Aalto University (Helsinki, Finland)

The purpose of the workshop and activities is to present from various perspectives the importance of nature, especially forests, in Finland and universally. Nature represents the most significant element of ‘Finnishness’, still about 73 % of Finland is covered with forests. Historically, nature has been an integral part of the annual cycle of Finnish land and forest based life.

The workshop also offers Finnish students a window into history, their own roots. It recalls the close relationship between Finns and nature and seeks to strengthen it by means of current communication and technology. The workshop also highlights the traditional culture related to nature and thus increases its prestige and survival. Nature is also present in mythical narratives, in Finnish mythology. The oldest layer of mythology is related to nature. Finns have lived in and out of the forests.

The workshop assignment focuses on digital apps. The key words are mapping and way finding. In the workshop, the students create concepts for digital interactive dynamic self-guided mapping apps with which one could mark places/objects/routes of interest with digital stickers and possibly other markers based on Finnish mythology.

During the workshop, students collaborated in small, multi-national groups to conceive concepts for dynamic and interactive self-guided apps. These digital tools aimed to enable users to mark places, objects, and routes of interest. Beyond mere information dissemination, these apps were designed to activate users by providing insights into various aspects of nature and mythology.

The versatility of the app was a key focus, allowing users the flexibility to engage individually or collectively. Group activities, potentially incorporating gaming elements, were envisioned to enhance a sense of community and foster networking among users. The app’s functionality extended to identifying plants, animals (offering educational aspects), aggregates, and significant locations of mythological heritage. It also had the potential to suggest self-guided tours and routes, offering an immersive and educational experience.

The exploration of Finnish nature and mythology within the app has a broader objective—to stimulate ecological thinking. The incorporation of elements such as respect for nature, the sanctity of trees, and the acknowledgment of animals as soulful beings aimed to inspire individuals, particularly those grappling with environmental challenges, to adopt different perspectives and behaviours.

DAY 01:
— Nature experience: sightseeing on a bus (with a guide): a visit to Nuuksio national park: hike in the area and an outdoor grill; a visit to Haltia – the Finnish Nature Centre.

DAY 02: Orientation
— introduction of the hosting university, the School of Arts, Design and Architecture of Aalto University and Art & Media department
— workshop introduction
— presentations by guest lecturers giving information on various topics dealing with nature mythology
— a lecture on apps and app design
— late afternoon: group work start

DAY 03:
— two presentations by guest lecturers
— the 2nd lecture on app design
— work on the assignment

DAY 04:
— first idea presentations/ further re-iteration of ideas
— a lecture on trailer videos

DAY 05:
— work on the assignment

DAY 06:
— work on the assignment
— group work final presentations start

The workshop outcome (app concepts created by the 4-person work groups) was presented in the Mythology Seminar ‘Hello Forest! Hello Spirits! A seminar on Finnish mythology’ at the Oodi Library in Helsinki, Finland, on Sunday 10 Dec 2023: https://www.aalto.fi/en/events/hello-forest-hello-spirits-a-seminar-on-finnish-mythology

— [Mr Frog]: various articles on mythology (https://helsinki.academia.edu/MrFrog)

— [Taivaannaula]: a Finnish organization dedicated to preserving and fostering the native Finnish religion and culture (https://www.taivaannaula.org/in-english/)

— [Notes on the Finnish Tradition]: an article by Anssi Alhonen (http://www.taivaannaula.org/notes.pdf)

— [Finnish Mythical Creatures Still Lurk]: an article on Finnish mythical creatures by
Fran Weaver (https://finland.fi/life-society/finnish-mythical-creatures-still-lurk/)

— [Walking and Mapping. Artists As Carographers]: a book by Karen O´Rourke (https://books.google.fi/books?id=wI_MlDWcPswC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ViewAPI&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false)

— [Books on alternative mapping]: Psychogeography (https://libguides.lib.msu.edu/psychogeography)

A serene winter landscape featuring a frozen lake surrounded by snow-covered trees and rocky cliffs. In the foreground, there is a dark, open patch of water contrasting with the white ice, adding depth and visual interest to the scene. The atmosphere is calm, with a soft gray sky overhead.
Image of Finish Nature taken by Tarja Nieminen during the workshop Mythology: Nature

Mythology Nature by Tarja Nieminen is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Mythology: Nature workshop concept was developed by Tarja Nieminen and Hanna Karkku for the 4th student workshop of the Erasmus+ project Digital Mythologies – Mythological Digitalities (DIMYMYDI) held at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture of Aalto University in Espoo, Finland, in December 2023. The workshop program was developed by Tarja Nieminen and Gautam Vishwanath.