Eating at TOKYO’s own vegan restaurant Kipsaris is like putting money in your own pocket: Kipsari Väre and Studio Kipsari are owned by ARTS students through TOKYO! Kipsari’s operations are non-profit-making, but sometimes a year can surprise in a positive way. In this case, students’ artistic projects are supported with the proceeds from Kipsari. After a break of several years, in May 2023, a 1000 euro I <3 Kipsari grant was once again available for all student members of TOKYO. The grant recipients have now been selected and awarded at Aalto ARTS graduation ceremony on 21.6.2023.

Aalto ARTS alumnus and TOKYO board alumnus, Art educator (M.A.) Heikki Heinonen acted as the grant selector this year. The grant was divided between two interesting projects. Heinonen described the winning projects as strongly communal, although community is approached from slightly different perspectives in the projects. The sizing of both winning projects seems realistic and successful, as well as very feasible. The both projects nicely presents the various possibilities of art to approach common issues.

I <3 Kipsari 200€ grant is awarded to Alejandra Alarcon for the project “Shared edible installation made of earthenware objects, mole, and salsas”. Heinonen justifies the choice with the project’s strong sense of community, and describes the concept as warm and inviting, and based on the sharing of space and time.

I <3 Kipsari 800€ grant will be awarded to Veera Lamminpää for the project “P! – Satirical puppet animation from the Kindergarten of Arts, Design and Architecture “. According to Heinonen, the project brings a critical perspective to the situation of the student community, without forgetting humor and playfulness as part of the project.

TOKYO and Kipsari thank all those who applied for a grant and congratulate the grant recipients!
With this happy news, we wish everyone a great summer!