In the Kombu Ahtola, kelp is used as a membrane to cover a rattan structure. Single pieces of seaweed are applied to connect each of the rattan ribs. The drying seaweed takes on a convex shape and there-by deforms, tightens, and stabilises the entire structure. An Ahtola is the mythical underwater palace of the Finnish sea goddesses. Lohmann: ‘Kelp is an ecosystem-builder that supports underwater organisms both big and small and supplies us with our oxygen. It can also give shelter to the deities of the ocean – or is it the deity itself?

Kombu Ahtola was realised in collaboration with Alberte Holmø Bojesen and exhibited as part of the BioArt Society exhibition 'Criss-Crossing Ecologies' at Annantalo in Helsinki and Taidehalli Seinäjoki.

Photos: Alberte Holmø Bojesen and Gero Grundmann