Everything is possible

This five-meter-tall gorilla sculpture was constructed entirely from used car tires and positioned in a sitting, contemplative pose at the campus entrance. Its tire-built form and thoughtful posture created a distinctive visual landmark for the university grounds.

Created in 2009 by Estonian artist Villu Jaanisoo, the sculpture won an invitational environmental art competition at the University of Helsinki. It stood on campus until fire destroyed it in January 2018.

The work communicated environmental stewardship through its visible use of discarded tires, making conservation tangible for students passing through daily. Its position at a research-focused campus turned it into a conversation starter about how we treat natural resources.

The sculpture was located in front of the Info Centre Korona, making it easy to find when visiting the campus grounds. Visitors could approach it closely to examine how the tires were arranged and layered to form the gorilla shape.

Students and visitors frequently climbed into and posed with the gorilla's tire-built arms for photographs, making them appear small against the large form. This hands-on interaction turned the art piece into a casual gathering spot where people engaged physically with the work.

Location: Helsinki

Inception: 2009

Creator: Villu Jaanisoo

Height: 5 m

Made from material: car tire

Address: Viikinkaari 11

GPS coordinates: 60.22739,25.01222

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:40