Bug Rugs

Two monumental Bug Rugs (Ötökkäryijyt) installations were recently placed along the pathways of Toripuisto Park in Konnevesi. Created by artists Kalle Hamm and Dzamil Kamanger, the pieces were among the most talked-about works of the Helsinki Biennial 2025. Now, they have found a permanent home in the heart of Konnevesi, continuing their story as living symbols of art and ecology.

The works combine beauty and environmental meaning. Constructed from sustainably sourced wood, they function as ecological insect hotels providing shelter for pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Each sculpture represents the harmony between design, craftsmanship and biodiversity.

The pieces were produced by Jukola Industries, a Konnevesi-based company known for its innovative wood surface pixel patterning technology. The project also involved students from Lapunmäki School, who filled the structures with natural materials — a collaboration that connected local youth with international art in a tangible way.

Today, the Ötökkäryijyt sculptures enrich the renewed Toripuisto area, now a vibrant hub for events and community gatherings. They stand as permanent reminders of the bond between people and nature, as well as of Konnevesi’s creativity and craftsmanship.

From Konnevesi to Helsinki and back again, Ötökkäryijyt tell a story of connection — between small places and global art, between people, culture and the living world around us.