International design practice NEON has completed Ihana, a striking 10-metre-tall sculpture that now anchors the Kasurilantie roundabout in Siilinjärvi, Finland. The work, whose name translates as “lovely”, embodies the area’s spirit of optimism, humour and joy.

The context of the roundabout came with many constraints. Any form needed to balance being impactful without overly distracting drivers, while also keeping sightlines open for traffic and pedestrians. The artwork had to be understood in seconds, often while seen in motion, and also be robust to changes in the area as the town develops over the next decade.

Constructed in steel and painted in vibrant colours, Ihana twists and turns asymmetrically, its appearance changing constantly as viewers move around it. Each of the artwork’s four sides is a different colour, referencing the landscape of Siilinjärvi — from summer fields at dusk to the glow of the northern lights in midwinter. The work goes from wide at the bottom to very narrow at the top which further dramatizes the sense of scale. 

“With Ihana we wanted to respond directly to the conditions of the roundabout,” says Viliina Koivisto, of NEON. “The work comes alive when experienced in motion, and for us this captured the playfulness and energy we found in Siilinjärvi.”

A Work That Sparked Debate
Selected in 2022 following a public competition, Ihana has provoked lively debate in the local area. The project became a focal point for conversations about how public money, space and aesthetics intersect in everyday life — a dialogue that underscores the cultural significance of bold, site-specific works.

“Great public artworks often spark discussion,” says Mark Nixon, of NEON. “For us, Ihana shows how art can both delight and challenge, changing how people experience even the most everyday places.”

Team:

Client: Siilinjärvi Municipality
Engineers: Elliott Wood
Fabricator: Kaaritaivutus Kumpula Oy
Lighting: Lite Designs
Photography: Ari Tiilikainen, Wille Markkanen