Engblom Tom - Oonko mie tiellä? (2008)

Engblom Tom - Am I in the Way (2008). Photo: Arto Liiti
Engblom Tom - Am I in the Way (2008). Photo: Arto Liiti

Engblom Tom - Oonko mie tiellä? (2008)

Tom Engblom explains: Reindeer can of course be found in the forests, provided one has the chance or time to venture into them. Most commonly, we encounter these creatures walking on the road, getting in the way of humans. This gave rise to the idea of creating a work asking just that, "Am I in your way". The concrete reindeer is inspired by the concrete barriers commonly found in cities, called 'concrete pigs' in Finnish.

The reindeer is shaped like a square case or cupboard, which is a reference to another Finnish idiom about putting someone in their place. The end result is a dialogue between feminine and masculine concrete reindeer, in which each takes measure of the other, just like in any family. All the while being in the way, of course."

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