Epigrams for Helsinki citizens

Denise Ziegler’s piece consists of eight cast-iron manhole covers in different locations in the city centre. Each round cover has a short epigrammatic poem or message for passers-by.

The short poems, or messages, comment on the situation and location of the reader. The aim is to reinforce the status of pedestrians as important individual elements of the urban environment. These ‘memorial plaques’ can be found on pavements in streets around the City centre such as Pohjoisesplanadi, Mannerheimintie, Simonkatu, Eteläranta, Kanavakatu and in the Kampintori square.

EPIGRAMS;

(1. THIS ROAD TAKES YOU NORTH PAST MONUMENTS AND BUILDINGS.
Mannerheim square, in front of Kiasma Museum of Contemporary art.)

2. I WAS PLACED AT THE EDGE OF THE PARK. PASSER-BY, WALK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.
(Pohjoiseplanadi / Kluuvikatu, edge of the park)

3. I AM A DISTRICT HEAT COVER, A GUARDIAN OF SUBTERRANEAN TUNNELS.
(Kanavakatu, in front of the former Enzo Gutzeit office building)

4. IN THE BACK ROOM OF THE CITY YOU ENJOY THE VIEW OF THE SEA.
(Eteläranta, behind the Old Market Hall)

5. ON THIS SPOT A WOMAN WAS WAITING, JUST AS A RED VAN DROVE BY.
(Mannerheimintie / Kalevankatu Pohjoisesplanadi / Mikonkatu)

6. THE LITTLE RED MAN STANDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET, I AM STANDING HERE.
(Pohjoisesplanadi / Mikonkatu crossing)

7. THIS STREET LEADS DOWN TO THE RAILWAY STATION, YOU ARE HEADING UPHILL.
(Simonkatu pavement opposite the Forum shopping centre)

8. YOU ARE STANDING IN A SQUARE AT KAMPPI, A TRIANGLE SURROUNDED BY THE HUM OF THE CITY.
(Kampintori – square, in the middle)

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