Jaakko Blomberg, urban innovator, admits being hooked on crafting fresh city concepts.
Ready to dive into the world of urban transformation with a badass urbanist at the helm? Meet Jaakko Blomberg, the reckless visionary behind Helsinki Urban Art, a community-driven force that's turning the City of Helsinki on its head. Jaakko's mantra? "Why ask for permission when you can ask for forgiveness?"
This rule-breaker, co-founder, and chairman of Helsinki Urban Art believes in the raw power of the people. And his operation? Well, it's all about infiltrating urban spaces with street art, creative placemaking, and co-creation, with the help of the city's very own residents. Here's how it goes:
From Flee Markets to Urban Revolution
From the outset, it was clear that Jaakko was on a mission. "I was hunting for something meaningful to do, so I decided to start doing things on my own," he says, tracing his steps back to the beginnings of his urbanism adventure. It all started with unregulated flea markets and projects that were carried out with nothing but sheer determination and passion. That led to full-time work on various projects, culminating in the formation of Helsinki Urban Art in 2017.
Helsinki Urban Art: A Platform for Urban Creativity
Helsinki Urban Art is an association like no other, focused on bridging urban art with culture and communities. It's all about connecting people with art, fostering community engagement, and transforming urban spaces through art, from 3D pieces and exhibitions to placemaking, murals, and street art. Jaakko sees Helsinki Urban Art largely as a platform for creative, engaging, and unique urban art, stating humbly, "I wanted to see more street art in Helsinki, so I just started making projects with some friends." What began as a passion project has grown into an internationally recognized organization and a safe space for all city dwellers and artists alike.
Changing the City, One Step at a Time
Jaakko's work is making waves in Helsinki. His team is known for incorporating underutilized streets and empty parks into their art, changing the cityscape and, in turn, the daily lives of its residents. In fact, Jaakko has received numerous accolades from city dwellers:
"Now I see the city in a totally different way; because I have seen these events, I have seen that it's possible for everyone to kind of change the city."
It's Jaakko's eagerness to use untapped resources that drives his work. For instance, he chose Itä-Pasila – a district with abandoned concrete structures and grey walls – as the location for his office. "It's the perfect canvas for making art."
Embracing Creativity and Community
Jaakko's favourite project so far has been each and every one – he's a man on a mission, after all! He approaches each project with enthusiasm, with a focus on doing what he truly loves, and encourages others to do the same.
"Don't waste your time on activities that you're not really interested in. When you work on a project, you have to be 100% into it."
Jaakoo is the epitome of a creative, community-minded urbaniste. He's all about using existing resources in fresh, innovative ways, transforming neglected spaces into thriving artistic hubs, and encouraging community participation in every step of the process. As he says, "Placemaking and urban art is where you can really change the environment."
Ready to join the revolution? The future of urban spaces lies in the hands of individuals like Jaakko, who are willing to shake things up and dare to dream.
- Jaakko Blomberg, the head of Helsinki Urban Art, envisions urban spaces that blend art, culture, and community, transforming them through street art, creative placemaking, and co-creation with local residents, embodying a lifestyle that embraces creativity and community.
- At the helm of Helsinki Urban Art, Jaakko advocates for a home-and-garden approach to city development, taking underused streets and empty parks and turning them into vibrant urban gardens adorned with street art, fostering a lifestyle that merges art, placemaking, and communal activity.
