Pars Pro Toto

Alicja Kwade’s Pars Pro Toto consists of eight stone spheres reminiscent of planets. For the Helsinki edition of the work, the artist chose primarily Nordic types of rock. Visible on the stones is the ancient process that formed them, age and the passage of time. The Latin title of the work, Pars Pro Toto, ‘a part for the whole,’ expresses one of the dimensions of the work: from atoms to solar systems, the structures of the universe keep repeating. The existence of individuals is contrasted with the massive scales of time and matter.

Kwade’s works explore our relationship with nature, our place in the universe and constant change as broader philosophical questions. They challenge us to question our observations and perception of the surrounding reality.

The work belongs to the City of Helsinki’s art collection, which is managed and curated by HAM.