Open to going far to see whats close by

Open to going far

to see what's close by

– Published July 2024

“What is Aava? What does it feel like? What does it open within you—during the journey and beyond?”

The Finnish word ‘aava’ refers to vast, open, endless expanses. It’s also a state of mind. This project continues Aava Medical’s collaboration with legendary ocean sailor Tapio Lehtinen. We invited his young crew to capture the sense of ‘aava’ over six months at sea during The Ocean Global Race: the calms and the storms, routines and realizations, moments of quiet and sheer awe.

"From the crest of a wave, the landscape is captivatingly vast–and always new. Each wave is unique."

"For me, ‘aava’ means space. The opposite of a constant flood of notifications."

"Even though the open sea is mesmerizing, here too, Mondays feel just like Mondays."

To bring these deeply personal sentiments to life, we built a larger-than-life View Master device smack in the middle of historic Helsinki, right by the edge of the sea, allowing visitors to explore the photos and stories in an immersive, nostalgic way.

We also showcased a rare sight: a life-sized replica of a Royal Southern Albatross. Few ever see these majestic creatures up close, so we wanted to share their awe-inspiring presence (and three-meter wingspan) with passersby. The albatross is both a symbol of the vastness of the oceans, and a poignant reminder of the fragile beauty of our planet and the urgent need to protect its rich and diverse marine ecosystems.

To experience ‘aava’, however, doesn’t require anyone to set sail across the globe. It’s within all of our reach, in our day to day. The project invites people to recognize and enjoy the calm clarity of “aava”, wherever they find it.

What OGR?
The Ocean Globe Race is a legendary competition where the use of modern technology is not allowed. The 2023 race marked the 50th anniversary of the OGR, and competitors navigated the world's seas as if it were still 1973. This was a unique opportunity to pause for deep reflection, and, with a pen and a compact camera in hand, paint a picture of what the vastness on the outside feels like, on the inside.