A massive metal raven sculpture is nearing completion in Tikkurila, Vantaa, sparking mixed reactions among residents. The artwork costs over one million euros, drawing criticism about its value for money.
Artists Teija and Pekka Isorättyä designed the Corvid sculpture as part of a larger art installation called 'Fatal Delay' near the railway station. The 12-meter tall piece will stand at Edelfelt Square, adjacent to Vantaa City Museum and Hotel Vantaa.
Local Facebook groups buzzed with discussion after a user shared photos of the developing artwork. Some residents praised the sculpture as impressive and well-suited for the location.
One commenter wrote, 'I passed by and must say this new rain shelter between the station and Hotel Vantaa looks magnificent.'
Another supporter added, 'It's magnificent and impressively sized, fitting perfectly there in my opinion.'
However, not everyone welcomed the new landmark. Critics described the artwork as creepy, comparing it to a bird's nest and calling it expensive scrap metal. Many questioned whether taxpayer money should fund such projects during economic constraints.
One resident commented, 'It's hard to find anything positive when seven-figure sums get spent for a small circle's admiration, while the same euros could have repaired road surfaces with much greater public benefit.'
Heli Lukkarinen, curator at Vantaa Art Museum Artsi, reported receiving only positive feedback about the sculpture. She said people have been admiring the work from behind construction fencing.
'At resident meetings, everyone felt excited that Tikkurila gets such a magnificent new landmark in this prime location,' Lukkarinen stated.
The curator considers the raven's 12-meter height and 30-meter width exceptionally well-proportioned. She rarely encounters artworks with such successful scale.
Lukkarinen hopes critics will grow to appreciate the raven over time. She emphasized how the artwork incorporates local history through its steampunk style, blending 19th-century industrial elements with futuristic themes.
Originally scheduled for September completion, the complex installation now aims for mid-November finish. The official unveiling will occur on December 9.
'This has been an extremely complicated artwork to produce,' Lukkarinen explained. 'Professionals from multiple fields had to coordinate parts, causing delays as we identified additional components needed.'
Safety modifications included adding covers to the base and snow guards on wing structures.
Costs have increased by approximately 100,000 euros from the initially reported 1.1 million euro price tag. Final installations will include lighting and robotics controlling the raven's moving, blinking eye.
Lukkarinen acknowledged that art prices often raise questions about value. She described the project as a major city investment with potential to create positive experiences and enhance urban image.
The controversy highlights ongoing debates about public art funding priorities, particularly when basic infrastructure needs remain unmet. While artistic expression has clear cultural value, the seven-figure price tag inevitably raises eyebrows in any municipality.