Wacky statues 2 / Estatuas tontas 2 / Statues drôles 2

February 12, 2011

Wacky statues 2 / Estatuas tontas 2 / Statues drôles 2

Filed under: All art pics,Crazy statues — Sartenada @ 08:56
Tags: / Estatuas tontas, countryside, Culture, Europe, exposicion de plein air, Finland, finland art, finlandia estatuas, historical, Interests, Landscape, Nice places in Finland, Nordic countries, Parikkala, Photography, Photojournalism, Photos, photos des statues, photos droles, Photos from Finland, Photos from interesting places in Finland, Places, Places of interest, Places to visit, Places to visit in Finland, Que hay de ver en Finlandia, Scandinavia, scenery, statue drole, Statues drôles, the sculpture park of veijo rönkkönen, Tourism, Travel, Travel in Finland, Travel in Parikkala, Travel photography, Travel photos, veijo rönkkönen, Viajes en Finlandia, viejo ronkkonens sculpture park, Visit here in Finland, Visiting Finland, Visits, Voyages en Finlande, Wacky statue, what to see in finland, World

Wacky statues 1 / Estatuas tontas 1 / Statues drôles 1

In English:

These wacky statues are situated in Parikkala in Finland. Guess if car drivers must to stop. Now after my last visit (post) the owner and artist died. The commune of Parikkala has a problem: Who shall take care of these statues. If nobody takes, then the Mother Nature takes care of them. This can be seen now in my photos from 2010.

The decentent owner’s (Veijo Rönkkönen) lot is 6000 m² / 1.48 acres and having nearly 500 statues which were made during nearly 45 years.

En español:

Estas estatuas tontas se hallan en Parikkala en Finlandia. Adivine si automovilistas deben parar. Ahora, después de mi última visita el propietario y el artista murió. La comuna de Parikkala tiene un problema: ¿Quién se encargará de estas estatuas. Si nadie se toma, entonces la madre naturaleza se encarga de ellos.

La finca del propietario (Veijo Rönkkönen) fallecido tiene de 6000 m² / 1,48 hectáreas y allí hay casi 500 estatuas que hizo casi durante 45 años.

En français:

Ces statues drôles on peut trouver dans Parikkala à Finlande. Devinez si les automobilistes doivent arrêter. Maintenant, après ma dernière visite le propriétaire et l’artiste est mort. La commune de Parikkala a un problème: Qui prend soin de ces statues? Si personne ne prend, alors la Mère Nature prend soin d’eux.

Le lopin du propriétaire(Veijo Rönkkönen) décent est 6000 m² / 1,48 acres et ayant près de 500 statues qui ont été faites au cours de près de 45 ans.

Wacky statues / Estatuas tontas / Statues drôles

Comments (42)

42 Comments »

I DARE someone NOT to be able to stop and look at these!
They are amazing and so clearly someone’s lifetime passion. I hope that now that the owners have passed away that maybe local government can get up a foundation to keep it going and ask for volunteers to help manage it.
If could be included in tourist brochures so that more people could visit and if the house were available, be used to accommodate a caretaker? How much imagination would it take to turn part of the house into a small cafe so that passing tourists could enjoy a coffee, cake or ice-cream before or after their stroll around the artworks?
If someone has a vision and local or national authorities can help that vision along a little then delightful things like this need not be lost (eventually) to nature.
Excellent photos as usual! Thanks!!!

Comment by kiwidutch — February 12, 2011 @ 09:14 | Reply
- Hello Kiwidutch.
  
  Thank You so much.
  
  I just checked the most new news and now this statue park has been really been sold to one industrial man. The price was 140 000 Euros. He is promised to take care of it and to develop thru an association.
  
  There is quite near this park a “stop and go” place for drivers which visit the park out of curiosity. Also the community organized bees like to rake leaves.
  
  Happy weekend!
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 12, 2011 @ 10:13 | Reply
These statues are so much fun! I can’t believe how many of them there are and that each one of them is so different. That’s really neat.

Comment by elleswim — February 12, 2011 @ 16:27 | Reply
- Hello Elleswim.
  
  You are so right when saying that there many. This time I did not take the same statues as in my previous statue post, except couple ones. Thank You for Your comment.
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 13, 2011 @ 08:57 | Reply
These are truly amazing. It’s hard to believe that he made so many different statues in 45 years. I would think that people would like to spend hours just admiring the different settings and statues. I hope they can be preserved.

Comment by seniorhiker — February 12, 2011 @ 17:19 | Reply
- Hi George.
  
  Thank You. Nowadays people are quite in hurry and they do not have time for long stop, but it was interesting to see that many children were interested in them. That delighted me very much.
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 13, 2011 @ 09:01 | Reply
How unusual, captivating and amazing. Goodness, the artist was imaginative and busy! I would be startled to see something like this and I would definitely stop and take my time to look around. With nature taking over, it looks like another world frozen in time. Wow!

Comment by Anna — February 12, 2011 @ 19:37 | Reply
- Hello Anna.
  
  You are right; it is like another world. For a real art lover this could be a “paradise”. To study one man’s lifetime work, it happens seldom.
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 13, 2011 @ 09:04 | Reply
This series is simply incredible ! Really nice ! Thank you so much for all your kind comments on my blog… highly appreciated 🙂
Enjoy your weekend 🙂

Comment by Tamara — February 12, 2011 @ 19:53 | Reply
- Hi Tamara.
  
  I am so glad, that I had possibility to offer a really unknown surprise for my fellow bloggers. Thank You.
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 13, 2011 @ 09:07 | Reply
I remember your photos of Parikkala. That sounds good that someone is planning to look after this artist’s work. I love photo 17, with the dancers among the flowers. A lot of the statues, like in photo 7, make you really look closely at the faces. I read that these statues are made of concrete, yet a lot of them look like clay. I just can’t imagine anyone making so many statues. It’s certainly a lifetime’s work.

Comment by jackiequeen — February 12, 2011 @ 19:58 | Reply
- Hello Jackie.
  
  Thank You Commenting. It delighted me that You remember this “Crazy Statue Park”. Your selection was great, I checked it. The statues are made of cement and that is why they might look like clay. If one is seeing with “sharp eye” about what these statues are presenting, then one understand easily, that the artist practiced yoga.
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 13, 2011 @ 09:12 | Reply
Hello Matti,
Certaines sont assez “coquines”, la nature envahissante leur permet de retrouver un brin de pudeur !! 😛
J’espère qu’on saura les entretenir et ainsi honorer la mémoire de l’artiste.
Je te souhaite un bon dimanche.

Comment by Marion B. — February 12, 2011 @ 21:46 | Reply
- Bonjour Marion.
  
  Oui, tu as raison en disent que certains sont un peu “coquines”, mais c’est la vie! J’espère que ce parc sera rester bien soigné et les visiteurs (de l’étranger aussi) le trouvent.
  
  Bon dimanche á toi aussi.
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 13, 2011 @ 09:26 | Reply
Just taking care of them and keeping the vegetation under control will be a large undertaking. It will require someone who already has a passion for the statues. They are in a beautiful setting!

Comment by montucky — February 13, 2011 @ 01:44 | Reply
- Hi Montucky.
  
  Thank You for Your visit and leaving Your comment. In my photos it was really easy to see, how fast nature is conquering them. I also like this place with its beautiful settings.
  
  Well, some day later I will follow up on this and report how the new owner has succeeded.
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 13, 2011 @ 09:16 | Reply
My goodness! That’s a lot of statues!
If I go there, I can spend days to take photos.
It’s actually a nice place to play hide and seek, especially on Halloween day!

Comment by London Caller — February 14, 2011 @ 03:12 | Reply
- Hello London Caller.
  
  I think that Your idea to have Halloween day here is mighty! Anyway, a little bit special place.
  
  Thank You.
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 14, 2011 @ 08:12 | Reply
Quite a lot of statues and lots of varieties and costumes. They are all very good gymnasts. Very creative work by the artist. This will take lot of time to maintain, hope the new owner has got what it takes :)>

Comment by Saravanan — February 14, 2011 @ 11:45 | Reply
- Hello Sarito.
  
  It is always very interesting to read how people see these statues. Yoga is good gymnastic for everyone and it has hard level to keep one in good condition. I guess that the owner did Yoga very much, because it can be seen in his many works. I hope also that the new owner understand the value of these statues which is one man’s life work.
  Thank You commenting.
  
  Happy Monday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 14, 2011 @ 11:56 | Reply
Some of these are delightful, some odd and some downright scary!

I wonder why the artist felt compelled to create a whole community of these statues. Can you add any insight?

Comment by flandrumhill — February 14, 2011 @ 23:23 | Reply
- Hi Amy-Lynn.
  
  Thank You so much for Your comment and making a question. I searched thru several sources (in Finnish) and there is not so much info about him. When he was young he was very shy and socially reserved. Yoga gave to him aplomb to manage distress situations. When he started Yoga in 1974, it was not generally know in Finland. Same kind of “mental strength” he got when making his art. He continued year after year to make them, but there is no real reply. One speculation could be that an internal need for forced him to continue, but who knows it. He got in 2007 “Finland award” from his works, but he did not fetch it personally (shy still?), but his friend, one photographer fetched it.
  
  When people visited his lot, he peeped visitors between curtains them shyly. The only cover money he collected from visitors was a signature in his visitors’ book. It has been said that if somebody did not sign in it, he visited without paying. Number of visitor’s books was in 2007 more than 100 and in each about 4000 signatures. What becomes to the variety of races in his art, he explained that visitors coming from many different countries just represent them. His day job we did in paper mill.
  
  I am so sorry that I did not “correct” answer to Your question, but maybe my additional explanation illuminated a little bit artist’s life.
  
  Have a wonderful day!
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 15, 2011 @ 08:00 | Reply
  - Sartenada, thank you for taking the time to research and add those details about the artist. I had a feeling that he was probably a very shy person who was very private and your insights confirmed this. I believe artists often express indirectly through their art what they do not feel comfortable expressing directly to others.
    
    Comment by flandrumhill — February 15, 2011 @ 13:29 | Reply
To see these statues would be a reason to visit Finland again. Thank you for posting all these wonderful photos. I hope the new owner will take good care of them, and that the park will still be open for visitors.

Comment by kameleonquilt — February 15, 2011 @ 18:38 | Reply
- Hello Eldrid.
  
  I am so glad that You enjoyed my photos and found something interesting in my country. Every country has something special to give, but how to found it that is the problem. Blogging is a good way to open consciousness to that what there is elsewhere. BTW, I liked our car holiday to “Nordkapp”. That was a great experience!
  
  Thank You.
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 16, 2011 @ 07:59 | Reply
Oh my goodness! These are so funny! And there are so many of them. Somebody must have been very bored creating all of these. I asume they don’t have a bird problem there 😉
You have captured these images beautifully – a great documentary.

Comment by Anina Botes — February 15, 2011 @ 22:52 | Reply
- Hi Anina.
  
  Thank You so much Anina when commenting my post. In that area there is no problems with birds. The only problem is Mother Nature and I hope that the new owner will solve this problem.
  
  Happy Wednesday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 16, 2011 @ 08:03 | Reply
Good morning Matti,
What I saw is amazing and funny at the same time. Such sculptures, I never saw before. The idea of the artist is unique and brilliant. Some sculptures look like athletes, and others such as African. The sculptures with the long braid in Figure 21 look very interesting. The sculpture in Figure 30 would be interested to know what it represents. On the stone is a small sign is seen with initials. In Figure 33 of the harp players and in Figure 36 of the zither player I like. The sculpture in Figure 35 could represent the devil. She has two horns on his head. The laundresses in Figure 50 are also very original. The washboard and washtub remind me of old times, before the washing machine was invented. It was a tedious way to wash clothes. I think that all the sculptures I saw that tell a story. So, I see it. At first it seems like an invasion do not know the where to go. The nature of the sculptures around, makes everything look harmonious. I think that the artist remains in these sculptures for every visitor in mind. For me it was a great and interesting photo adventure trip that I enjoyed. It was great and liked it very much. If I could I would give for more than 10 stars. The teddy bears in the Teddy Bear Museum, I looked at it. The commentary I will leave. I thank you for allowing me to watch this fantastic series and look forward to the next. Thank you for all the nice comments and interesting information, including star under my photos in my blog. We wish you and Anja, all the best and health on your common everyday ways. God bless you both. My e-mail follows the weekend.
Dear greetings Christel and Detlev

Comment by Christel — February 18, 2011 @ 02:16 | Reply
Guten morgen, Christel.

Thank You. I have noticed, as You said in photo 21, that the artist liked long braids. 35 might be so as You see it. Washboard and washtubs were really very general here in the past really. I am so glad that You took a look at Teddy Bear Museum, which is only 25 kilometers from my home and it is quite rare anyway in the world.

Schönes-Wochenende!

Comment by sartenada — February 18, 2011 @ 09:28 | Reply
I like the greenery nature setting and really hope these wacky sculptures will be maintained well for as long time as possible as they’re simply gorgeous brilliant works of the owner and artist!
A very interesting documentary, good collection/series well done!!

Comment by Anne — February 19, 2011 @ 13:18 | Reply
- Hello Anne.
  
  Thank You Anne for Your visit and making comment. This place is near to my heart. It is very special in our world and what is better than to admire one man’s life work.
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 19, 2011 @ 13:22 | Reply
Beautiful and so stunningly displayed. Reminds me of fairies frolicing amoung flowers. The flower gardens are just as stunning as the statues. I agree with other commentors–This alone would make a visit to Finnland worth while. I hope the new owner is able to maintain them and the gardens.

Comment by kateri — February 19, 2011 @ 14:57 | Reply
- Hi Kateri.
  
  Yes indeed, it is true that flowers are blooming, even though they have not been taken care of. They grow wildly but to embellish the garden / park. Thank You for Your visit in this “odd” statue park and letting me guide You.
  
  Happy Saturday!
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 19, 2011 @ 15:36 | Reply
…can’t stop looking at your blogs. Your pictures are beautiful, and the statues are very interesting. Enjoy your blog tremendously. Thank you for sharing.

Comment by nopham — February 20, 2011 @ 03:55 | Reply
- Hello Nopham.
  
  So nice to read Your comment! This kind of comment encourages me to publish better and better posts. Of course it is not possible every time. Nowadays I am publishing only once a week a new post and mainly on Fridays. I think that the quality is important, not the amount and of course lack of own time.
  
  Thank You.
  
  Comment by sartenada — February 20, 2011 @ 09:57 | Reply
Love ’em. Thanks for the link!

Comment by Russel Ray Photos — June 13, 2012 @ 08:59 | Reply
- Hi Russel Ray.
  
  Thank You. I appreciate Your comment very much.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — June 13, 2012 @ 09:02 | Reply
[…] Više fotografija ovog prekrasno bizarnog mjesta možete pogledati ovdje. […]

Here is another cool place in Finland:

Dancing scarecrows.

Happy blogging!

Pingback by Čudna šuma je to — December 8, 2014 @ 09:01 | Reply
incroyable
magique
Quel beau monde de joie

Comment by artiste37 — April 25, 2017 @ 11:35 | Reply
- Bonjour Philippe.
  
  J’apprécie beaucoup votre commentaire. Merci.
  
  Bonne journée. Matti.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — April 25, 2017 @ 12:10 | Reply
So much statues! Loving it!

Comment by TCast — April 17, 2019 @ 11:34 | Reply
- Hello Teresa.
  
  I am glad that You loved my photos. When I told You that we love and have different kinds of sculpture parks, I forgot to mention that our specialties are carved animals. Especially we love carved beares. We have even every summer bear carving contests!
  
  Bear carving contest1
  
  Thank You.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — April 17, 2019 @ 11:40 | Reply