The drive and intention behind developing (public) art in rural areas is a long-term research project for the artists Bekim Hasaj and Valentina Gelain.​

The purpose is to evolve and present contemporary art in rural and natural areas, investigating its generation in this specific frame across multiple dimensions, and to highlight the benefits of different art forms in relation to the community in peripheral and sparsely populated contexts.
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The project will produce, curate and implement art projects, events and cultural initiatives, also in collaboration with other professionals and organizations, becoming a point of reference at the local and regional levels over time. The Vaasa Museums are a partner in the project.

 

Between 2022 and 2026, the project has evolved from its pilot phase into a continuous action plan. The venture kicked off with the creation of the mural 'Awake' on an old barn in Övermark, followed by a live outdoor music performance.

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Building on this foundation, the current focus centers on multidisciplinary art implementations and the organization of public events tied to the artistic activities of the Artist Duo.
These initiatives are linked to art projects such as ´Translucid skins~strands~of~us´ and ´What is Left in the Temple of Memory´, with site-specific exhibitions in a century-old house, and in the forest.
Another fitting example is the art trail 'Nature into Geometry', presented in August 2026.

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Throughout these years, various professionals and organizations were involved, such as sound designer Stefan Backas, pianist Svante Sjöholm, musician Michele Uccheddu, performer Ailish Maher, architect Ruusa Viljanen Rossi, the Regional Dance Centre of Ostrobothnia, Film Centre Botnia, local associations like Övermark Byaråd, and the municipality of Korsnäs.

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The project and its individual initiatives were supported by Frans Henriksons testamentsfond – Svenska kulturfonden, Svensk-Österbottniska Samfundet, the South Ostrobothnia Regional Fund (Etelä-Pohjanmaan rahasto), the Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike), Bröderna Gröndahls Stiftelse, the Municipality of Närpes, the Municipality of Korsnäs, and the City of Vaasa.

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About the Project Pilot 'Awake' and to listen the music track 'Under'

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Two-days public art seminar in Vaasa and Alajärvi on 29-30 April 2025. The event was organised by Vaasa Museums and Nelimarkka Museum > FIN / SWE / ENG.

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Guest artist for the Kuvata​ Webinar with focus on ‘As an Artist in a Sparsely Populated Area', organised by Tampere University of Applied Sciences, the University of Lapland’s Faculty of Art and Globe Art Point,  20 January 2025;

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'Pulic Art in Rural Areas' by Bekim Hasaj - Ostrobothnia Museum's Cultural Blog