During his long-term photography project, Koivumäki got to know the people in the area and was let into their homes. The photographs convey intergenerational friendship, everyday toil, doing things together, and children playing and growing up. Defending the lifestyle cherished by Vallila residents became important to Koivumäki. The desire to influence the fate of their home district paid off: due to the active residents’ movement, the town plan to condemn the area was not realised. Instead, the renovation of the building stock began to gain support. The unique Puu-Vallila environment became a protected area in the late 1970s, and the buildings were renovated in the early 1980s.
The 1970s was a decade of political photography. Several photographers offered critical commentary on contentious issues related to Finnish society. Koivumäki began his studies in photography at the University of Art and Design Helsinki in 1973. In addition to his Puu-Vallila photography series, he has documented the sprawl of Helsinki, demonstrations, events, and people’s everyday lives. The photographs in the exhibition are original gelatin silver prints from the years 1974–1976.
The Finnish Museum of Photography
collections space Angle
The Cable Factory, The Cable Factory, Tallberginkatu 1 G, 00180 Helsinki
