Aikatallenteita//SkráningTímans//Recordings of Time
2026. 9 pairs of silver-based enlargements.
B28, Pohjoismainen kulttuuripiste (Nordic Culture Point), Suomenlinna B 28.
Finnish translation: Niklas Feinik
In this research, the artist takes on the form of each sculpture and, in doing so, becomes the sculpture itself. Through this scientific method, he is able to see and feel the inner self of the object. The findings are expressed as the essence of each sculpture's time, captured in short poetic sentences. These are translated into Icelandic and English by the artist and subsequently retranslated into the sculptures' native language, Finnish, by Niklas Feinik.
The exhibition Aikatallenteita // Skráning Tímans // Recordings of Time by Ívar Ölmu is centred around a research project of the same name. In this research, the artist selects and photographs sculptures across the island of Suomenlinna, outside Helsinki, with the aim of understanding how they feel within the constructs of their time.
Before enlarging the film onto photographic paper, the artist writes down the sculptures' essence and outlines the placement of the images on the paper. During the enlargement process, the ink washes away, leaving its mark permanently imprinted in the final print.
Hleðsla
Hringa mig saman í hnút, þá getur enginn séð hvernig mér líður.
//
Kíví muodostelma
Kääriydyn solmuksi; nyt kukaan ei näe, miltä minusta tuntuu.
//
Rock formation
I roll up into a knot; now no one can see how I feel.
Drasl í sjónum
Vona að mig reki bráðum í land.
//
roskat meressä
Toivottavasti ajaudun pian rantaan.
//
Junk in sea
Hope I will soon drift ashore.
Tré
Ysta lagið er ískalt en þegar innar dregur er glóð í storknuðu hrauni.
Lífsorkan vermir sig við hitann og brosir.
//
Puu
Uloimmat kerrokset ovat jääkylmiä; kun kurotan syvemmälle sisään, kekäleet
hehkuvat jähmettyneen laavan alla. Elämänvoima lämmittää itseään
kuumuudessa ja hymyilee.
//
Tree
The outer layers are cold as ice; when I reach deeper inside,
embers glow within the solidified lava. The life source warms itself
with the heat and smiles.
Sög
Spennan rífur í hrygginn.
//
näki
Jännite kiristää rankaa.
//
Saw
The tension pulls on the spine.
Litli krani
Ég bíð eftir að eitthvað geti tekið við, þetta er óþægileg staða.
//
Pieni nosturi
Odotan korvaajan saapuvan. Tämä on epämukava asento.
//
Small crane
I'm waiting for a replacement; this is an uncomfortable position.
Brunnur
Leita inn á við, þar er eitthvað sem ég þarf. Vil vera minni, losa af mér þessar
skörpu línur, vera steinvala í fjöru.
//
Hyvin
Katsoessani sisäänpäin, huomaan tarvitsevani jotakin. Haluan olla pienempi,
päästä eroon näistä terävistä linjoista. Olla pikkukivi rannalla.
//
Well
Looking inwards, there is something I need. I want to be smaller, to rid myself
of these sharp lines. Be a pebble on the beach.
Fallbyssa
Mikil spenna. Ég vil leysa hana úr læðingi, veit ekki hvað hún hefði í för með sér. Kannski er best að bíta bara á jaxlinn.
//
tykki
Suuri paine. Haluan päästää sen vapaaksi. En ole varma, mitä siitä seuraisi. Ehkä on parasta antaa sen olla.
//
Canon
A lot of tension. I want to release it; I don’t know what might become of it. Maybe it’s best to retain it.
Stóll
Ég studdi við bakið og lyfti þér upp. Nú freista ég gæfunnar bak við hús.
//
tuoli
Turvasin selustasi ja kohotin sinua. Nyt rentoudun talon takana.
//
chair
I had your back and raised you. Now I relax behind the house.
Stóri kraninn
Þungur og haggast varla, vel rótfastur, jarðtengdur. Armurinn stendur hátt en ég vil
teygja hann lengra í átt að fuglunum, mjúku skýjunum og sólinni.
//
Iso nosturi
Painava niin kuin kivi virrassa, maahan juurtunut. Käsi ojentuu korkealle, mutta
haluaisin ojentua vielä pidemmälle: lintuihin, pehmeisiin pilviin, aurinkoon asti.
//
The big crane
Heavy like a stone in a stream, rooted to the ground. The arm extends high,
but I want to reach further to the birds, soft clouds, and the sun.
