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Irene Rogan. Morphogenesis, 2015

Irene Rogan (b. 1955 UK) &
schools,
kindergardens,
artists,
lace makers and
Water Institute Wander.

Morphogenesis environmental art 23.3.–20.5.
LaceUp 9.5.
Art+Lab 12.5.
Place I Love, Maanpäänniemi 1.6., 23.6.
Workshops for Hidden Diatom-artist book 20.5., 28.5., 18.6.

Residency 12.3–30.6.2015


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Rauman Freinet School children and professor Richard Gordon thru skype

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Place I love, Maanpäänniemi. Picture Jari Sorjonen

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Diatom workshop with printmakers. Picture KirsiKuu

During her residency Irene Rogan connected art, science, lace and the environment to wholeness. The research from this work was used for three UK based projects. Morphogenesis the cover title evolved into five independent projects based on the concept of exploring the hidden nature in water and conservation. All the projects had a strong collaborative approach, working with teachers, pupils, artists and residents who develop experimental projects

Morphogenesis (definition “the beginning of the shape”) uses art and basic science practises (microscopy) to collect water samples and observe the visually stunning mirco-organisms diatoms and to inspire the production of creative works.


In the Morphogenesis school children made environmental sculptures to the forests of Äyhönjärvi, Petäjäs and Kanavakatu and learned about diatoms with Canadian professor Richard Gordon thru the Skype. The project was connected to classes of visual art, biology and English.

Collaboration with Kari School special class 5.–6., Rauma Freinet School 5.–6. grades, Rauma Normal School 1B, Raumanmeri 8th class visual art, Uotilanrinne School 7D and Koulujemme lähivesi project (”waters near by our schools project”).


In a Lace Up project Rogan was working in collaboration with a lace maker and an artist Tarmo Thorström. They invited local lace makers to join in a mass lace making event with a twist. They invited local lace makers to join to create a large lace work that is inspired by the diatoms, those beautiful jewel-like forms invisible to the eye and secondly in water everywhere; rivers, lakes or oceans marshes.

In addition to this Rogan comes from Nottingham, which is known historically as a famous city of lace making though it no longer has lace makers. With the help from Tarmo Thorström, who designed a simple Diatom pattern for creating the lace, Irene Rogan tries to take the lace back to Nottingham from 21st century lace makers of Rauma, showing how, in contemporary life, the lace making tradition is carried on with enthusiasm. Ultimately the hope is to generate links between the two cities in order to create a cultural exchange.

Collaboration with lace Centre Emelia and Rauma Lace Makers


ART+LAB was a series of temporary interactive art projects by artist and pupils and in the spirit of research, there was an element of spontaneity and experimentation and science based field trips. It was also a temporary research station on the banks of Rauma canal.

The art projects use found and bought, natural or recycled and manmade materials in order to explore the local biodiversity, natural, contemporary and traditional heritage and mystery.

Children were invited to view the exploration of water through art and science in collaboration with the artist. They shared the participating schools’ field and water study work on the ‘Koulujemme lähivedet’ project.

Schools were also invited to view water sample from the channel through a microscope to view the fascinating world of microorganisms and look at invisible-to-the- eye diatoms found in all water.

Collaboration with kindergartens Lastentalo Musikatti, Rauma Repola, Rauma English Kindergarten; Rauma Feinet School preschoolers, Rauma Normal School 2–6. graders and Koulujemme lähivesi project.


Place I Love. With residents of Maanpäänniemi Rogan made a coup, where participants wrote poems and memories of the Maanpäänniemi nature. They also made a performance for the cape (niemi in Finnish) to remain under pressure of a factory extension.


Hidden Diatom Artist Book project was based on microscope images of both sea- and freshwater diatoms between Rauma Printmakers and Irene Rogan. The Artists Book of 15 hand bound pieces will be published on early 2016. The book will include 2 prints from every artist, introduction text by Irene Rogan and a text about diatoms by water researcher Dr. Mary-Ann Tiffany (USA). The Hidden Diatoms book will be exhibited in Printmakers Associations 40th Anniversary Exhibition at the Rauma Art Museum in October 2016 and at Emil Cedercreutz Museum in Harjavalta during the spring 2017.


Irene Rogan's (UK) current practise is influenced by researches into biodiversity and sustainability, both as a contemporary fine artist and through a number of public art commissions as lead artist and master planning artist, developing both temporary and permanent artworks. These opportunities have enabled collaboration with architect and landscape designer to successfully introduce a creative dynamic within urban regeneration initiatives. Concern for environment and sustainability has introduced new narratives in her work and often draws on scientific expertise, in the fields of space, microbiology, ecology and acoustics.

Resartis Taike Rauma Erkki Paasikiven säätiö Vakka-suomen nuorisosäätiö WEB_lastenkulttuuri-vinonelio-oranssi.png Rauman Taidemuseo Suomen Kulttuurirahasto