To Own Both Nothing and the Whole World

An installation and programme of participatory programme by Henna Asikainen and Roua Horanieh, co-commissioned and co-produced by Counterpoints Arts and Baltic Contemporary, made possible by the support of Moomin Characters Ltd. It was part of celebrations marking 80 years since the publication of the first Moomin story by Tove Jansson, which had a focus on displacement.

View the Baltic’s project archive page for more images and podcasts

The project explored ideas of home and belonging, reflecting on the impact of displacement on both human and more-than-human worlds. Recognising that nature is our first habitat without which no home can be built. The materials used in the work were foraged from the surrounding landscape, each carrying its own enchanting story—bringing communities together in unexpected and meaningful ways.

The multiple artworks were seen outside of the gallery, in the entrance area Lightbox, on Ground Floor and in the Level 5 Viewing Box, with its presence woven across Baltic.

At the heart of the work were Taihaku cherry trees and their extraordinary migration story, where a sole migrant tree in the UK became a saviour of the whole ecosystem, reviving the extinct community in its native country of Japan.

The exhibition also encompassed migratory bird nests with their many stories of movement, resilience and adaptation and 200-year-old tree roots planted during the Napoleonic Wars, and which were uprooted by a recent storm. Willow and other foraged wonders from community gardens feature within the artwork alongside a tree felled by a storm in local suburbia, a reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the cycles of loss and renewal.

Through this assemblage of living histories, To Own Both Nothing and The Whole World invited reflection on the interconnected journeys of people, plants, and place—foregrounding the invaluable contribution migrants bring to this country, and the power and beauty of nature and community in shaping our shared world.

The project aimed to raise awareness around displacement and climate, to create the opportunity for dialogue with asylum seekers, refugees and migrants around the perception of their migration, their future and how they can thrive in a new environment. It also enabled the opportunity for dialogue within the local area on what it takes to welcome a migrant community. Many different elements make a nest, and it takes many to create it, weaving together different elements to create something solid that can hold and shelter someone. By creating a story that lives on in people’s memories and thoughts, there is the potential to change minds and behaviours.

Henna Asikainen is a Finnish multidisciplinary artist based in the UK, renowned for her socially engaged and participatory practice. Her work explores the intricate relationships between humans and the natural world, addressing themes of migration, climate justice, social belonging, and the ecological impact of displacement.

Roua Horanieh is a Syrian writer and architect whose multidisciplinary career spans architecture, storytelling, and cultural reflection.

We are grateful for additional support towards the public programme from the Finnish Institute. The Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland supports the internationalisation of Finnish and Finland-based artists, researchers and social actors. As the leading expert on Finnish culture and society, the Institute enables societal change through art and culture, empowering diverse perspectives and fostering a more inclusive cultural landscape for all. Founded in 1991, the Institute is a non-profit, private foundation funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture.

Henna and Roua write:

We extend our heartfelt thanks to The Alnwick Garden, Howick Hall Gardens and Arboretum, and Scotswood Community Garden for their generous and invaluable support of To Own Both Nothing and the Whole World. Their collaboration has been vital in shaping the material and conceptual depth of this project.

From the Tai-Haku cherry trees to ancient oak roots and the supple willow branches, the contributions of these unique gardens and landscapes have enriched the narrative of this work—allowing us to explore the themes of migration, belonging, and the interconnectedness of all life. We have deeply valued the opportunity to collaborate not only with the dedicated staff of each garden but also with our more-than-human allies, whose histories and presences have helped bring the project to life.

This partnership has been a meaningful reminder that communities—both human and more-than-human—thrive through generosity, shared care, and reciprocal relationships. Thank you.

Read a blog post about a visit to Alnwick Gardens as part of the project

Read an article on Cultured. North East

Download a guide to the project: To Own Both Nothing and the Whole World (pdf)

Photos by Saya Rose Media