The future of metal art is increasingly shaped by sustainability, technology, and community engagement. Traditional forging skills now coexist with digital production methods such as 3D printing and robotics, creating new possibilities for artistic expression. At the same time, the role of art as a tool for societal dialogue and collective memory grows. In public art, the focus is shifting towards durable and ecologically produced works that resonate locally and globally. These perspectives guided the launch of IronNotes in early 2025.
At the Borders of Iron – IronNotes project promotes international collaboration around metal art by sharing knowledge, cultural heritage, and values. The project explores how the blacksmithing tradition can be made more visible and relevant today, not only as a craft, but as a way to strengthen regional identity and international collaboration. Through various activities, the aim is to connect wider audiences to the cultural and creative potential of working with metal, and to highlight the meaningful relationship people have with this unique material. (Link to LAB University of Applied Sciences project website)
International event in Lappeenranta
The first seminar and exhibition took place in June 2025. Discussions revolved around three themes: the role of metal in public art and education; the dialogue between blacksmithing and advanced technologies; and sustainability as a key perspective in the field.
The event began with an introduction to public art education at LAB University of Applied Sciences and opportunities that LUT University offers for artists in digital manufacturing. Finnish sculptors Kimmo Schroderus and Kirsi Kaulanen shared their working methods to the public, which led to a discussion about the hands-on nature of the creative process and, on the other hand, the potential of modern technologies, especially in the production of large-scale public steel sculptures.
Blacksmithing was addressed from historical and cultural perspectives in presentations focusing on memorials and the theme of remembrance. Jewellery art took the spotlight in the seminar, as Carin Reinders, Director of the CODA Museum in Netherlands, gave an inspiring talk about the world’s largest contemporary jewellery collection housed at the museum. By the end of the day, new and more environmentally friendly methods of steel production (Lipiäinen 2025), along with tools for calculating an art work’s carbon footprint (Green Art 2025), led participants to reflect: should art also be subject to sustainability metrics, or should artists retain their freedom to use natural resources as they see fit?
Fine arts students from LAB and international partner schools created works that explored memory and iron as a creative material. The works reflected diverse approaches to blacksmithing and its relevance in contemporary art. Students had the opportunity to learn traditional forging techniques, which were incorporated into their artworks. The exhibition also featured live forging demonstrations and offered a unique look at how craft skills can be passed on and reimagined through artistic collaboration. The two-day exhibition attracted more than 200 visitors to Gallery Pihatto.
The IronNotes project continues until July 2027 with various events, exhibitions and workshops in Italy, Sweden, Norway and Estonia. It is co-funded by the Culture strand of Creative Europe programme, whose aim is to support collaboration and exchange among cultural organisations and artists across Europe. (European Union 2025). Project coordinator is LAB University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Design and Fine Arts. Project partners are ME-talli Oy, Finland; Gothenburg University, Sweden; Associazione Autonoma per la Biennale d’Arte Fabbrile, Italy; Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonia; Oslo National Academy of the Arts, Norway. Link to project website.
Authors
Saija Malila is an RDI specialist at the LAB Institute of Design and Fine Arts. She manages EU funded projects in the field of metal art and circular design.
Jenni Sokura is a jewellery artist, and she works as Lecturer at the LAB Institute of Design and Fine Arts.
Enna Eloranta is Project Specialist at the LAB Institute of Design and Fine Arts.
Henrietta Mitchell is an International Industrial Design student from LAB Institute of Design and Fine Arts.
References
Eloranta, E. 2025. Forging demonstrations. Cited 27.8.2025. Available at https://lab-ammattikorkeakoulu.creamailer.fi/email/685ba022187a5?u=m3Ax722IADvjh6903c971#read-more-17256287-1
European Union, 2025. Creative Europe Culture Strand. Cited 27.8.2025. Available at https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe/creative-europe-culture-strand
Green Art, 2025. Green Art Calculator. Cited 27.8.2025. Available at https://www.vihreataide.fi/en/info
LAB University of Applied Sciences, 2025. At the Borders of Iron. Cited 27.8.2025. Available at https://lab.fi/en/project/borders-iron
Lipiäinen, K. 2025. Shaping the future with fossil-free steels. Cited 23.9.2025, Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLmL8Ed75nE
Mitchell, H. 2025. Exhibition at Gallery Pihatto. Cited 27.8.2025. Available at https://lab-ammattikorkeakoulu.creamailer.fi/email/685ba022187a5?u=m3Ax722IADvjh6903c971#read-more-17256287-1
Links
Link 1. LAB University of Applied Sciences. 2025. IronNotes project website. Cited 27.8.2025. Available at https://lab.fi/en/project/borders-iron
Link 2. IronNotes. 2025. Project website. Cited 27.8.2025. Available at https://www.ironnotes.eu/
