The artist Ekku Peltomäki, who lives in Bali, remembers that he always received support and driving force from Aira Samulin.
Dance artist Aira Samulin, who died in October, was her ex-spouse Ekku Peltomäki immortal in imagination. The autumn after the sad news has been difficult for the light artist.
– Death felt incredible. Although it has been in mind that man is not eternal, it did surprise me, Peltomäki recalls in an interview with Iltalehti.
– It has been quite a difficult time, he sighs.
Peltomäki’s light work will be seen in January at the Lux-Helsinki event. The artist living in Bali knew about his trip to Finland at the turn of the year well in advance – the plane tickets had already been bought in August.
Peltomäki says that Samul will be cremated in the next few weeks in the presence of his closest relatives. This is also the reason why Peltomäki did not participate in Friday’s blessing ceremony.
– I made it there (the cremation), I didn’t make it to the blessing ceremony. I made the decision when I heard that they will still be cremated. If the blessing had been the only opportunity, then I would have bought new flights there.
The age difference became concrete in the divorce
Peltomäki and Samulin got married in 1973. Their age difference was 19 years, but this did not show at all in their relationship.
– It never even occurred to me to be with Aira, Peltomäki immediately answers.
As for the outsiders, however, the married couple got their share of astonishment.
– It was a pretty big halo. Aira and I never talked about it. Of course, the most important thing for me was my own parents, how they react to it, and they reacted quite commendably.
The age difference only became concrete decades later, when Peltomäki and Samulin divorced in 2004.
– It was a decision. Aira felt old at that age. That’s when the age difference first became real. He wanted to set me free.
Ekku Peltomäki met Aira Samulin for the last time in April. He drew inspiration for his light art from the meeting. PASI LEISMA
Last meeting
Peltomäki says that he met Samulin for the last time in April. Peltomäki was also in Finland at that time for his work Lux-Helsinki. His light art will be seen in January at the Hietaniemi cemetery.
– Then I went to explore the cemetery. Then I also visited Aira. We talked about wartime when I was interested. The theme of the art is hero graves.
– Aira, if anyone, had information and he still remembered.
The artist says that he always received support, honest feedback and the strength to move forward from Samulin.
– I thought at the time that when I come here at the beginning of December, it would be nice to talk more deeply about them when the event is even closer.
– Fine-tuning and everything like that, then I didn’t talk to him.
Peltomäki describes Samulin as very selfless. He always had a genuine desire to help in his mind.
– I never imagined that in this life I would meet such a wise person as Aira has been, Peltomäki sums up.