More questions and answers related to the entries
More questions relating to the competition entries can be sent by email to Jussi Ilvonen no later than 18 January 2018 to: Jussi.Ilvonen@artists.fi.
All questions and answers will be posted on this page by Friday 26 January at the latest.
The following questions and answers to them have been posted so far:
Questions raised in the course of the competition and answers to them
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Is there a cap on the overall budget for the planned memorial?
No cap on the overall budget has been set for the planned memorial.
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Will the existing brown plaque with the name be left in its place or will the new memorial replace it?
The existing red granite plaque at the grave is a temporary one, which will be removed once the actual memorial is erected.
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Are there any restrictions on the size of the memorial? Are there any regulations at Hietaniemi Cemetery on the maximum height of grave memorials?
There are no restrictions as such on the size of the grave memorial.
The Lutheran Parish Union of Helsinki has instructions on grave memorials. In this competition, though, we are looking for a unique memorial. For this reason the instructions on grave memorials have not been included in the competition rules, which means no minimum or maximum dimensions have been set. If necessary, a permit to derogate from grave instructions will be sought for the winning grave memorial entry.
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Does the memorial need to situated in a given place on the gravesite? Can it extend over a larger area and be bigger than the current temporary plaque?
The grave memorial entries must be such that they fit within the perimeters of the gravesite. Each contestant is free to outline the placing of their proposed grave memorial within the boundaries of the gravesite.
"The memorial to be placed at the grave of former president Koivisto must be suited to the purpose. It is to be something that people can visit and against which floral tributes can be left. It must be lasting and timeless. In the design of the grave memorial, it should also be noted that two persons’ names and dates of birth and death will be engraved onto it at some point. The grave memorial must be temporarily transferable. It must be well suited to the location and such that no other than normal maintenance is required."
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Can entries be submitted electronically? (Contestant currently abroad)
The entries must be placed on a stiff pad in A3 size for the assessment of the judging committee (cf. point 3a of the design competition programme). Point 8 in the competition programme states that all submissions must be equipped with a pseudonym placed in a sealed envelope, which must include the name, address and telephone number of the designer. It is not possible to submit entries to the competition electronically for assessment.
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Is it possible for others involved in the creation of the entry to be included in the sealed envelope together with the contact details of the designer to ensure the anonymity of the designer? (With reference point 3b of the competition programme.)
As stated in point 8 in the competition programme, the submissions may not include the name of the designer or any other notations that might reveal the identity of the designer. Information on any others involved in the creation of entries may be supplied by describing subcontractors or assistants that might possibly be used without specifying the persons or companies in more detail. However, there is no impediment to enclosing a list of the persons or companies in the sealed envelope.
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Is it possible to include lighting in the entry? If so, is the lighting included in the budget for the memorial?
In this competition we are looking for a unique memorial. Designers are free to choose the materials and elements they wish to use, bearing in mind point 2 in the competition programme. If lighting is included in an entry, it is included in the budget.
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Can one designer submit more than one entry?
There are no restrictions on the number of submissions per person. However, when submitting more than one entry, please make sure that each entry is submitted in such a way that the pseudonyms and the sealed envelopes with the pseudonyms (point 8 in the competition programme) do not get mixed up.
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Does a gravestone text engraving (name, date of birth and death) need to be included in the proposed memorial or is it enough if a space is reserved for it?
The designer can indicate a space that is reserved for the text engravings. Alternatively the designer can plan the engraving texts and indicate a space reserved for the engraving intended for other person (cf. point 2 of the competition programme).
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Is the designer responsible for the typography and design of the engraving (name, date of birth and death)?
Designers may decide on the type of typography to be used in the engravings on the memorial, but it is not essential or required.
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Have a minimum or maximum size been set for the memorial? What about limitations on its weight?
There are no restrictions as such on the size of the grave memorial. The memorial must fit in the space reserved for the grave and it must be in harmony with the dimensions of the other memorials in the surrounding graveyard. If the proposed memorial is very heavy (e.g. the memorial of former President Kekkonen weighs 13 tonnes), the weight must be factored in when planning the foundation. Kekkonen’s memorial was founded on steel poles placed in the bedrock. Points 2 and 3b in the competition programme should also be taken into account, and especially the point that it must be possible to temporarily move the memorial.
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What kind of land is the burial ground of grave memorial on?
The land base consists of sand (seasand), and one of its disadvantages is that it has a low ratio of fine material – relatively poor carrying capacity.
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What are the dimensions of graveyard lot number U25, the area surrounded by the hedge?
The dimensions of lot number 25 are: 39.5 metres wide, 32 metres long. If the question means the dimensions of the grave, the answer is that the grave is 4 metres wide and 2.5 metres deep, i.e. long. The area surrounded by the hedge is 4.2 metres wide and 2.6 metres deep, i.e. long. The grave memorial must fit within the parameters of the grave (2.5 times 4 metres).
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What are the dimensions for the memorial (the space surrounded by the hedge)?
The space surrounded by the hedge is 4.2 metres wide and 2.6 metres deep i.e. long. The grave memorial must fit within the parameters of the grave (2.5 times 4 metres).
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How high is the hedge?
The hedge is 1.15 metres high at the moment (grows a little higher every year).
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Transportation of the memorial: What kind of restrictions on access to the location are there for the grave memorial? What is the maximum width for the means of transportation?
A crane will be used to bring the memorial to the site at the graveyard, or alternatively using a carriage, in which case the width and height of the archway of the main entrance to the graveyard is what places restrictions. The maximum width of the archway is 3.40 metres but the headroom at this width is limited to 2.10 metres due to the arch. At a width of 2.50 metres in the archway, the headroom is 2.85 metres.
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Is there any chance at all that scale models would be accepted, for example as additional material that would “clarify/supplement” the A3 presentation required in the competition programme?
The material that must be included in every submission is stated in point 3 of the competition programme. In addition, you may, if you wish, include photos of a scale model. Any such photos of a scale model should be enclosed in the same envelope as the material stated in point 3 of the competition programme. All submissions will be treated equally, on the basis of each submission having the same standard presentation material. The assessment will not use any actual scale models, nor will any such models be accepted with the submission.
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Should the cost estimate include, for example, the transportation of the memorial to the grave site, costs of installing the memorial (e.g. digging, soil removal)?
The cost estimate should include all cost items and an estimated cost should be given for each of these.
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If a submission is successful in the competition, will the sketches be made public (point 3a in the assignment)?
As stated in point 11 of the competition programme, the winning entries selected by the judging committee will be placed on display in Government premises in the period 9–20 April 2018 between 9.00 and 16.15 each day. Only the names of the successful entrants will be published. The submitted entries may also be presented on the Government website.
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What does “prepared on a stiff base” mean?
A stiff base could be cardboard or similar (e.g. foam board) on which the photos referred to in point 3 of the competition programme have been firmly attached with glue or double-sided tape. Using a stiff base will make it easier to present the photos for evaluation. This way the photos will not curl or become creased or damaged. The size of the board base must be A3.
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Do the type of stone, its origin and the supplier etc. have to be stated at this stage?
In point 3b of the competition programme, a request is made for a brief written account of the idea behind the proposal, the materials to be used, the weight of the memorial and method of preparation. In addition, an itemised cost estimate for the memorial is requested in point 3c. If the memorial includes/is made of stone, it is essential to state the type of stone. Information on any other participants that might be involved in the creation and completion of the memorial can be given using expressions such as “subcontractors or assistants that might be used”.
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Are there any rules to be followed in the scale model of the entry? For example, have such aspects as the model’s size, colour or other attributes been specified?
The material that must be included in every submission is stated in point 3 of the competition programme. In addition, you may, if you wish, include photos of a scale model. Any such photos of a scale model should be enclosed in the same envelope as the material stated in point 3 of the competition programme. The assessment will not use any actual scale models, nor will any such models be accepted with the submission.
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Can foreign labour be used in the making of the memorial? Specifically experts who would help in making the memorial.
The choice of the parties involved in making the memorial is up to the artist. There are no restrictions as to their nationality.