Open house in Life on a Leaf

Artist Jan-Erik Andersson’s boundary-breaking total-art-work, the leaf-shaped detached house Life on a Leaf, was completed in Turku in August 2009. The unique house, which served as the Andersson family’s home until early 2023, was designed in collaboration with architect Erkki Pitkäranta. 

The house was the production part of Andersson’s artistic doctoral thesis at the Academy of Fine Arts. He explores various themes related to the relationship between art and architecture, and between house and the environment. Can a house that is based on stories written by the artist and figurative forms such as a leaf, a cat’s bell or a Brazilian raft, be called architecture? Why do we not see more houses in the shape of a flower, a hat or a shoe?

Even though the house is a total artwork by Jan-Erik Andresson, the house also contains around 20 site specific artworks made by other artists for the house in the building stage. Come and wonder and explore the artworks spread across the house!

The house now functions as an artist and researchers residency and the current resident artist, artist, musician and graphic designer Kalle Taivainen is present through out the day. The father of the house Jan-Erik Andersson will also be there, as well as our guides who are there to answer your questions.

Welcome to explore Life on a Leaf!

Accessibility

Only the ground floor can be accessed with a wheel chair. A narrow spiral staircase leads to the upper floor.