A Gift to Turku
2023
A public work for the University of Turku
Commissioned by Arte, Turku
The work questions the recent changes in the higher education in Finland such as imposing tuition fee and limiting the number of study years, in relation to University of Turku’s motto, The gift of a free nation to free science. A quote carved and dedicated to the twenty thousand donors who supported the building of the University in 1920. Just like any other University in Finland, The University of Turku is obliged to charge thousands of Euros from the international student. The same international students that Finland needs to attract thousands of them by the end of 2030.
Razavi criticizes these recent changes and policies by symbolically and ironically putting a price on a gift that she donates to the campus of the University. A Gift to Turku is a luxurious lounge and hangout space designed by the artist in the heart of the city. Just like the university in its current state, this exclusive space only claims to be a gift. In practice its doors are closed and one must pay a disproportionate price to be able to experience it. The lounge is a brought and elegant glass room placed close to the Calonia building (Faculty of Law) in a deserted area that the university has attempted to create as a hangout space for the students. Like a veranda for the already existing but failed hangout area. An exclusive room of privilege for the ones who can afford it.
The work is produced with the support of Finnish Cultural Foundation which has its origins in the donations of thousands of people to support Finnish Art and science. A gift from ordinary people to science and art which tends to become less and less affordable for ordinary people. The idea of the foundation emerged in an informal meeting of young university people in 1937. Razavi wonders if such creative meetings and such timeless ideas could ever arise again in this age of time poverty and pressed study years where students can barely afford the time to hang out on the campus. Can one design a bright, inclusive and inviting space to initiate such encounters and conversations. Maybe an affordable glass veranda with open doors.