2012
’Sano Muikku’ –the Secrets of Finland

Why do Finns say ‘Muikku’ when taking a picture? Far from making happy face, muikku saying makes an uncomfortable, and sad face. Is this the secret of the Finnish mind? Or is it oravannahka? Or the Finnish maiden? Reilu meininki or karjalanpiirakka?

In our journeys around Finland we started wondering what is the Finnishness-suomalaisuus that makes a Finn a Finn. We did some archaeological excavations and found these items that we believe might be some of the forgotten links in understanding us Finns.

JALOT KIVEMME / The Precious Stones of Finland
Found: Kuru, Finland & Varpaisjärvi, Finland
Material: Kuru Grey (Kurun Harmaa) Granite & Pohjolan Leimu Granite
Mitat / Measurements: 80 x 80 x 80 mm
Precious Finnish granite stones from Kuru and Varpaisjärvi quarries.

JALOT PUUMME / Precious Trees of Finland
Found: South Finland
Materials: Linden, oak, ash, juniper
Mitat / Measurements: 80 x 80 x 80 mm
There are eight nobel tree species in Finland, plus the diamond of all the Finnish trees – juniper. These polished pieces of Finnish noble trees were found around southern parts of Finland.

SÄKKIVALO / Bagged light
Found: Hölmölä (Bemböle), Espoo, Finland
Material: Bag (burlap), light bulb (daylight)
Mitat / Measurements: 500 x 300 x 300 mm
Bagged lights have been used in attemps to bring daylight inside homes.

PÄREVALAISIN / Shingle light
Found: Jämsä, Central Finland
Material: Pine shingles
Mitat / Measurements: 230 x 230 x 230 mm
This lamp shade was found in a small Chinese restaurant in Jämsä.

PYHÄ MUIKKU / Holy vendace
Löytöpaikka:
Found: Southeast Finland (Etelä-Karjala)
Material: Pine shingles
Measurements: 180 x 160 x 500 mm
Every summer an old granny is chosen to be the Holy Vendace. She walks around the village wearing this headpiece.

MUIKKUKUKKO / VendaceBird
Found: Kuopio, Finland
Material: Pine
Measurements: 280 x 90 x 90 mm
This artifact dates back to the time when fishbirds still roamed the lands in eastern parts of Finland. Our ancestors most likely ate them all to extinction.

PUUKKOJA / Gaffers
Found: Ostrobothnia, (Pohjanmaa) West Finland
Material: Birch
Measurements: 150 x 50 x 30 mm
Unidentified (standing) wooden objects.

POLIISIN PUUKKO / Finnish Police Knife
Found: Pasila (Helsinki), Finland
Material: Birch, steel
Measurements: 205 x 100 x 35 mm
A knife used by police officers in early twentieth century Finland.

PUUVILLAPAITA / Woodwool shirt
Found: Northern Finland
Material: Pine
Mitat / Measurements: 500 x 350 x 320 mm
This undershirt kept lumberjacks warm in winter times.

RISUPAITA / Woodwool shirt (summer)
Found: Northern Finland
Material: Willow
Measurements: 500 x 350 x 320 mm
A well-ventilated shirt traditionally used during Finnish summer.

ORAVANNAHKAKUKKARO / Squirrel hive purse
Found: Kiihtelysvaara (nyk. Joensuu) East Finland
Material: fake fur, brass
Measurements: 180 x 120 x 10 mm
A typical coin purse used by the people in Eastern Finland.

MUIKKUHALKO / Fish log
Found: (Etelä-Savo) East Finland
Material: Birch, steel, fish
Measurements: 200 x 60 x 60 mm
A traditional Finnish fast food concept; the hollow log, containing the fish, is lit on fire. When wood has burned, the fish is ready to eat.

MATKAPUHELIN / Portable phone (prototype)
Found: Nokia, Finland
Material: Balsa, bakelite
Measurements: 150 x 70 x 20 mm
A prototype (approx. 2005) of a portable smart phone, found from a bar in Nokia.

SAAPASPUHELIN / Smart shoephone
Found: Nokia, Finland
Material: Boot, cellphone
Measurements: 150 x 70 x 20 mm
This early version of a multipurpose smart phone never became well known outside Finland. This boot was used by an industrial spy. Rumours tell that the boots were also intended for consumer market – most likely for throwing instead of walking.

Finding of the Secrets of Finland.

Here are few pictures from our archaeological excavations around Finland:













‘Sano Muikku’ exhibition 31.1.–28.2.2013 in Salakauppa, Postikatu 1, 00100 Helsinki, Finland.
All designs: COMPANY (Aamu Song & Johan Olin). All photos: COMPANY