Finland's deep forests and elusive wildlife have arrived in an unexpected urban setting: a shopping mall in Jyväskylä. A new photography exhibition at the Seppä shopping centre showcases the work of ten amateur photographers who trained under renowned nature photographer Jussi Murtosaari. Their images of hibernating bears, lounging Saimaa ringed seals, and other native fauna now hang in the mall's atrium, creating a stark contrast between commercial bustle and serene wilderness. The exhibition runs until January 19th, offering city dwellers a direct window into Finland's remote natural habitats without leaving the city limits.
This unusual cultural crossover highlights a growing Finnish trend of bringing nature into urban spaces. The exhibition features images captured during group excursions and individual projects by students of Murtosaari's course at the Jyväskylä Adult Education Centre. Each participant selected their own work for display, resulting in a diverse collection of wildlife portraits. The initiative aims to make nature photography more accessible to the public, moving beyond traditional gallery spaces to reach people during their daily routines.
From Forest Floor to Shopping Floor
Jussi Murtosaari, the course instructor and exhibition curator, explained the unconventional location choice. "We thought we'd try a slightly more visible place for the exhibition," Murtosaari said. The Seppä shopping centre's main hall provides high foot traffic, ensuring the photographs are seen by hundreds of shoppers daily. This strategy represents a deliberate attempt to democratize art and nature appreciation, breaking down barriers between specialized cultural venues and everyday public life. The ten participating photographers, including 66-year-old Juha Ruokari, gain unique public exposure for their work.
The photographs themselves tell a seasonal story of Finland's fauna preparing for winter. Images depict brown bears fattening up before hibernation, a critical survival phase captured with patience and precision. Other shots show the endangered Saimaa ringed seal, a freshwater species unique to Finland, resting on sun-warmed rocks. These visuals serve as a powerful reminder of the natural cycles continuing just beyond urban sprawl. They transform a commercial space into an impromptu educational site, prompting conversations about conservation and biodiversity.
The Photographer's Patience: A National Trait
For photographer Juha Ruokari, the exhibition represents the culmination of a specific mindset. "You have to have the patience to be, to observe and to look," Ruokari described the process of moving through nature with a camera. This philosophy mirrors a broader Finnish cultural relationship with nature, characterized by quiet respect and sustained observation known as 'hiljaisuus'. The photographs on display are not snapshots but the result of hours, sometimes days, of waiting for the perfect moment when animal behavior and light align.
This patient approach is fundamental to successful nature photography in Finland's challenging conditions. Low light levels, harsh weather, and the animals' wariness demand technical skill and profound resilience. The course taught by Murtosaari likely emphasized these aspects, equipping amateurs with the techniques needed to capture wildlife ethically and effectively. The resulting exhibition showcases not just animals, but a distinctly Finnish way of engaging with the natural world—one of minimal intrusion and maximum attentiveness.
Cultural Context: Nature in the Finnish Psyche
The exhibition's popularity underscores a central pillar of Finnish identity: 'everyman's right' or 'jokamiehenoikeus'. This legal concept grants everyone the freedom to roam in forests and countryside, regardless of land ownership. It fosters a universal sense of connection to nature, making wildlife photography a deeply resonant art form. Placing these images in a mall bridges two core Finnish spaces: the commercial center and the forest. It visually asserts that nature is not separate from daily life but an integral part of it, even for city residents.
Finland consistently ranks high in global studies of connection to nature, with forests covering over 75% of the land area. Urbanization has not diminished this bond; instead, it has fostered creative expressions to maintain it. Exhibitions like this one serve as cultural compensation, providing nature immersion for those who cannot always access it physically. They also function as subtle environmental advocacy, reminding consumers of the fragile ecosystems that exist alongside economic activity. The silent bears in the photographs offer a powerful counter-narrative to the mall's promotional noise.
The Educational Value of Public Art
The decision to host the exhibition at the Jyväskylä Adult Education Centre's initiative highlights the important role of 'kansalaisopisto' in Finnish society. These adult education centers provide lifelong learning opportunities on everything from languages to crafts, and now, nature photography. They are heavily subsidized, reflecting a national commitment to accessible education for all ages. This exhibition is a direct outcome of that system, showcasing how public investment in adult education yields tangible cultural dividends for the entire community.
For the amateur photographers involved, the mall exhibition provides a significant milestone. Moving from a classroom setting to a public venue validates their skills and boosts confidence. It also creates a community around shared interest, connecting individuals who might otherwise pursue their hobby alone. The social dimension of the group excursions, hinted at by Murtosaari's mention of "our joint trips," is as important as the technical training. This fosters a network of citizens who are skilled observers and advocates for their local environment.
Analysis: Urbanization and the Nature Deficit
From a societal perspective, this exhibition addresses a modern paradox: as populations become more urbanized, the demand for nature connection intensifies. Studies in environmental psychology point to a 'nature deficit' in urban societies, linked to increased stress and decreased well-being. While Finland has vast wilderness areas, not all citizens can regularly visit them. Integrating nature imagery into the urban fabric is a low-cost, high-impact way to mitigate this deficit. The calming effect of viewing natural scenes is well-documented, suggesting these photographs do more than decorate—they potentially reduce shopper stress.
The choice of a shopping centre is particularly astute. It intercepts people in a state of consumption and offers a moment of non-commercial reflection. The wildlife images, which cannot be bought, subtly challenge the mall's primary function. They insert a value system based on intrinsic natural worth rather than monetary price. This creates a cognitive dissonance that can be productive, prompting viewers to reconsider their priorities, if only for a moment. In an era of climate anxiety, such small interventions normalize the presence of environmental consciousness in all spaces.
A Model for Other Cities?
The Jyväskylä experiment offers a replicable model for other Finnish and Nordic cities. Collaborations between adult education centers, skilled photographers, and commercial property owners can create win-win situations. Malls gain unique cultural content that enhances their public image, artists gain exposure, and citizens gain free access to art and nature education. This aligns with Nordic values of social democracy, where public access to culture and nature is considered a right, not a privilege. The model requires minimal funding, relying instead on existing institutional structures and community goodwill.
As Finland continues to urbanize, the need for such innovative bridges between city and forest will only grow. The success of this exhibition, measured by public engagement and media attention, suggests a strong public appetite for these hybrid experiences. Future iterations could expand to include QR codes linking to information about the species depicted, interviews with the photographers, or details about conservation efforts for endangered animals like the Saimaa ringed seal. This would deepen the educational impact, transforming a passive viewing experience into an interactive learning opportunity.
The Silent Message of Winter's Approach
Thematically, the exhibition's timing is poignant. Displaying images of animals preparing for winter as humans engage in pre-Christmas shopping creates a parallel narrative of preparation. However, the animal preparations are for survival, a stark contrast to the commercial frenzy. This silent comparison invites viewers to reflect on essential versus non-essential consumption. The bears' hibernation is a natural, efficient process, honed by evolution. The photographs, in their quiet beauty, ask whether modern human life has lost touch with such natural rhythms and efficiencies.
Ultimately, the "Urban Bears" exhibition is more than a collection of pretty pictures. It is a statement about Finnish identity in the 21st century. It asserts that nature remains at the heart of the national character, even when expressed through the viewfinder of a camera in a shopping mall. It demonstrates how public education and accessible art can sustain that connection for all citizens. As the lights twinkle on the mall's Christmas decorations, they now illuminate another kind of wonder: the wild, patient, and enduring life of Finland's forests and lakes, waiting just beyond the city limits.