ViaporiDockyard

Jacopo Brancati started Viapori Dockard, a Bridge to The Future (2011-2014) to arouse interest in the dockyard, the ships and so help preserve this precious but fragile part of Finland's heritage.

His pictures lead the visitor to discover life and work at the dockyard, where the mature and the young work side by side, sharing experiences, fatigue and laughter, freezing temperatures and warm sunny days, until the ships are ready to slip out of their winter cocoons and set sails again.

The exhibition soundtrack, by the kantele player and composer Arja Kastinen, is an evocative journey into the world of images through music, voices and sounds.

The Viapori historic dockyard boasts almost three centuries of uninterrupted activity. Where warships were once built, ships with historical significance are now restored.

Every winter the dockyard shelters a fleet of traditional wooden sailing ships built in the aftermath of WWII for the coastal trade.

They ensured the supply of building materials for the reconstruction of Helsinki, were meant to work hard and live short.

Thanks to two generations of people who sailed and lovingly preserved them, a few of these ships survive.

IDEA and LAYOUT EXHIBITION: Jacopo Brancati, Infine Arts

Photographs: Jacopo Brancati
Soundtrack: Arja Kastinen
Exhibition curator: Sonia Olcese
Production manager: Ilkka Jäntti
Production: Viaporin Telakka r.y.
Fine art prints: Siim Vahur, ArtProof, Tallinn
Panels and textile prints: Pixmill, Helsinki
Building and lightboxes: Niko Rissanen, Helsinki

THANKS for participating in the production and for advisory support:

ViaporinTelakka: workers and ship crews
Svenska Litteratursällskapet i Finland: Mikael Korhonen, Marika Rosenström
Helsingin Kaupunginmuseon arkisto: Tuomas Myrén
Museovirasto: Hannu Matikka
Kansallinen audiovisuaalinen instituutti: Tommi Partanen

Generous and friendly help: Anita and Ilkka Jäntti, Olli Tappola, Jouni Wirta, Mirkku Ronimus, Piia Tuomainen, Minna Santakari, Restaurant Chapman

Memories and pictures: Markku Melkko, Jaakko Olkkonen,

Pasi Leino, Seppo Vanhanen

Portfolio