Lasse Kock's artwork at the Gold Prospector Museum 3.1.-30.9.2011
Lauri "Lasse" Kalevi Kock (1935-2006) was born in Viitasaari but spent his childhood and youthhood in Vaajakoski where he got very interested in various phenomena of nature. That interest led him to Finnish Lapland, Saariselkä and he spent his manhood there and surrounding wilderness of northern Lapland. In Saariselkä he also met Salme, his wife and later family grew with one daughter Pikka and one son Kari.Lasse was member of the board in the association of Gold Prospector Museum since it was founded and took care of these responsibilities in excellent manner. His geological knowledge was considerable help for Gold Prospector Museum not only in Lapland but also during the excursions abroad.
Kock was very skilful in many fields: he was at least gold prospector, stone sculptor, painter, lapidary specialized on Finnish gemstones, fly binder and also self-learned mineralogy. Professionals of geologial field appreciated his local knowledge and skills. He kept courses where he taught participants stone polishing and how to identify different stones. Staff and volunteer workers of Gold Prospector Museum also participated in the courses when
possible and field trips were made.
Lasse was modest and quiet especially about his own skills. Kauko Launonen, the proctor of the foundation of Gold Prospector Museum, recalled there was almost something enigmatic in Lasse partly because of his incredible memory and enormous amount of information. After Lasse's passage Saariselkä lost one of its last true persons, thinks Launonen.
The exhibition at the museum contains different and representative pieces of Lasse's artwork. The exhibition is included in normal entrance fee and can be seen during normal opening hours. Because of interest the exhibition continues till 30.9.2011.
Welcome!
Sources for the text are epitaph by Kauko Launonen (2006) and also his recent recollection about Kock , Pikka Kock's exhibition texts and text on the website of Finnish Stone Centre in Juuka (2010). Photos: Gold Prospector Museum.
Pikka Kock has designed the layout and written the texts of the exhibition being based on Salme Kock's narration. Objects of the exhibition are from the collections of Salme Kock, Pikka Kock and Gold Prospector Museum.