Photography matters: The Helsinki School - Tiina Itkonen
Photography matters: The Helsinki School - Tiina Itkonen
Photography matters: The Helsinki School - Tiina Itkonen
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<strong>Photography</strong> <strong>matters</strong>:<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Helsinki</strong> <strong>School</strong>
Dear viewer and reader,<br />
It is a great honour and a pleasure to present to you the exhibition <strong>Photography</strong> <strong>matters</strong>: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Helsinki</strong> <strong>School</strong>. <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>Helsinki</strong> <strong>School</strong> of photography has become an international brand recognised for its innovative works of art and excellence<br />
in talent development. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Helsinki</strong> <strong>School</strong> is conclusive evidence that photography <strong>matters</strong> as art as never before<br />
and demonstrates that a small country can develop talented, young artists into international calibre artists - by pushing<br />
the limits. Year after year they have developed the photographic process as the way of the thinking eye. At the heart of<br />
this approach is the creation of a unique learning environment at the University of Art and Design <strong>Helsinki</strong>, which fosters<br />
technical excellence, conceptual clarity, creativity and the self-confidence to make art.<br />
This exhibition shows a comprehensive selection of works by artists represented in the Statoil art collection, at different<br />
stages in their development. Some are young and at the start of their career, while others are established artists on the<br />
international scene. <strong>The</strong>y show very clearly that the <strong>Helsinki</strong> <strong>School</strong> approach facilitates genuine individual and personal<br />
expression. It is not a school in the traditional sense of the word; it is indeed an approach.<br />
Encountering and engaging with art is possible outside of established cultural institutions. Our commitment to art allows<br />
us to make a sustainable contribution to the cultural development of the societies in which we operate, as well as build<br />
our corporate culture and profile. Art awakens creativity and inspiration - it brings people together and into conversation<br />
with each other.<br />
Our ambition is to:<br />
• Create a courageous, distinctive and coherent art programme<br />
• Promote young and emerging artists whose creative work gives society an orientation,<br />
shakes things up, or redefines<br />
• Engage our people and encourage them to take advantage of opportunities for aesthetic<br />
reflection and learning<br />
• Provide accessibility to the public so that even more people have immediate access to art<br />
• Actively support and participate in the exchange of ideas and culture with the communities<br />
in which we operate<br />
Our art programme comprises five related and dynamic elements: the art collection, exhibitions, learning, communication<br />
and the art award.<br />
This exhibition would not have been possible without the help and participation of Timothy Persons, director of the<br />
professional studies programme and senior lecturer at the University of Art and Design <strong>Helsinki</strong>. We also wish to thank<br />
artists Pertti Kekarainen and Anni Leppälä, who have generously loaned some of their works to the exhibition, and the<br />
curators Wenche Falkenhaug (Statoil art programme) and artist Joonas Ahlava. Enjoy the journey.<br />
Jens R Jenssen<br />
Senior vice president<br />
Human resources<br />
Leader of the Statoil art programme<br />
3<br />
Cover: Saviour, 2008<br />
Susanna Majuri
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Helsinki</strong> <strong>School</strong> – what is it?<br />
What is now known as the “<strong>Helsinki</strong> <strong>School</strong>” was in its essence an educational model devised in the mid-1990s by the<br />
Department of Professional Studies at the University of Art and Design, <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Finland. <strong>The</strong> model provided an opportunity<br />
to a selected group of MA students to measure and self-critique their own originality outside of the normal<br />
curriculum. <strong>The</strong> goal from the outset was to take selected students out of the classroom, enabling them to experience<br />
how to build, edit, present and curate their work on a professional level.<br />
To realise this vision, the University sponsored a series of site-specific exhibitions throughout inner city of <strong>Helsinki</strong> from<br />
1995 to 1999. <strong>The</strong>se productions afforded the students scenarios for trial and error with the aim of finding solutions to<br />
problems they would normally encounter. <strong>The</strong>se site-specific exhibitions eventually led to the creation of gallery TaiK as<br />
its primary showcase, and a means of introducing these selected artists to the international community. To achieve this,<br />
the university coordinated its academic studies with gallery TaiK’s participation in specified art fairs like Art Forum Berlin<br />
or Paris Photo, as a practical way of exposing students to the expectations and demands to be met when forging a successful<br />
artistic career. Today gallery TaiK maintains a permanent exhibition space in Berlin, where it also stages <strong>Helsinki</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> exhibitions and produces publications for a worldwide readership.<br />
It is impossible to measure the importance of the <strong>Helsinki</strong> <strong>School</strong> as an educational model and sustainable movement<br />
until it has been tested by time and has realised itself to the full. What can be gauged is the impact it has had on the<br />
numerous artists who have been through its system and who now lead professional careers. <strong>The</strong>y serve as a good example<br />
of how a university from a small country with limited resources can reach beyond its borders to set new standards in<br />
preparing students for the real world and its challenges.<br />
Our hope for the future is to sustain and broaden the conceptual dialogue used as the basis of our critiques by inviting<br />
lecturers to the university to teach new perspectives. It is our goal to expand this professional workshop series to include<br />
the best artists worldwide. This, combined with our touring exhibitions and new publications, will help establish the<br />
<strong>Helsinki</strong> <strong>School</strong> as a leading educational model that other institutions can learn from, and build upon, in order to attain<br />
their own goals.<br />
Timothy Persons<br />
Senior lecturer and director of professional studies<br />
University of Art and Design <strong>Helsinki</strong><br />
5
Table of contents<br />
Anni Leppälä . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9<br />
Elina Brotherus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21<br />
Aino Kannisto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29<br />
Hannu Karjalainen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35<br />
Pertti Kekarainen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45<br />
Ola Kolehmainen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51<br />
Susanna Majuri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61<br />
<strong>Tiina</strong> <strong>Itkonen</strong> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67<br />
Ilkka Halso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79<br />
Kalle Kataila . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89<br />
7
Anni Leppälä<br />
Born in 1981 in <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Finland<br />
Lives and works in <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Finland<br />
2004 – University of Art and Design <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Department of <strong>Photography</strong>, MA<br />
2004 Arts Academy / Turku Polytechnic, BA<br />
9
Girl in green, 2007<br />
C-print, aluminium. 80 x 108 cm<br />
Edition of seven<br />
10 11<br />
Hands, 2007<br />
C-print, aluminium. 21 x 31 cm<br />
Edition of seven
Garden, 2007<br />
C-print, aluminium. 62 x 84 cm<br />
Edition of seven<br />
Loan from the artist<br />
12 13<br />
Red Blanket, 2004<br />
C-print, aluminium. 94 x 62,5 cm<br />
Edition of seven<br />
Loan from the artist
Buttons, 2004<br />
C-print, aluminium. 47 x 69 cm<br />
Edition of four<br />
14 15<br />
Doors, 2006<br />
C-print, aluminium. 21 x 31,5 cm<br />
Edition of seven
Last Autumn, 2008<br />
C-print, aluminium. 31,5 x 42,5 cm<br />
Edition of seven<br />
16 17<br />
Rooms: Girl in a Museum, 2007<br />
C-print, aluminium. 31,5 x 42,5 cm<br />
Edition of seven
Untitled (Lamp girl), 2007<br />
C-print, aluminium. 27 x 40,5 cm<br />
Edition of seven<br />
18 19<br />
Window (mirror), 2008<br />
C-print, aluminium. 21 x 31 cm<br />
Edition of seven
Elina Brotherus<br />
Born in 1972 in <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Finland<br />
Lives and works in <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Finland, and Avallon, France<br />
2000 University of Art and Design <strong>Helsinki</strong>, MA<br />
1997 University of <strong>Helsinki</strong>, MSc<br />
21
Model Study 23, 2008<br />
C-print, aluminium, framed. 50 x 46 cm<br />
Edition of six<br />
22 23<br />
Model Study 21, 2007<br />
C-print, aluminium, framed. 40 x 50 cm<br />
Edition of six
In the mirror 1, 2007<br />
C-print, aluminium, framed. 40 x 52 cm<br />
Edition of six<br />
24 25<br />
In the mirror 2, 2007<br />
C-print, aluminium, framed. 40 x 52 cm<br />
Edition of six
<strong>The</strong> Pool, 2008<br />
C-print, aluminium, framed. 80 x 99 cm<br />
Edition of six<br />
26 27<br />
Model Study 17, 2005<br />
C-print, aluminium, framed. 80 x 61 cm<br />
Edition of six
Aino Kannisto<br />
Born in 1973 in Espoo, Finland<br />
Lives and works in <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Finland<br />
2001 University of Art and Design <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Department of <strong>Photography</strong>, MA<br />
29
Untitled (Bed), 2003<br />
C-print, Diasec. 90 x 112 cm<br />
Edition of six<br />
30 31<br />
Untitled (Train Window), 2005<br />
C-print, Diasec. 90 x 110 cm<br />
Edition of six
32<br />
Untitled (Two Mirrors), 2006<br />
C-print, Diasec. 90 x 117 cm<br />
Edition of six
Hannu Karjalainen<br />
Born 1978 in Haapavesi, Finland<br />
Lives and works in <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Finland and Berlin, Germany<br />
2005 University of Art and Design <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Department of <strong>Photography</strong>, MA<br />
2001 University of Art and Design <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Department of <strong>Photography</strong>, BA<br />
1998 Muurla <strong>School</strong> of <strong>Photography</strong><br />
35
37<br />
Man in Blue Shirt, 2006<br />
16 mm film on DVD<br />
Duration: 5.19 minutes<br />
Edition of five
Man in Pale Blue Shirt, 2008<br />
C-print, Diasec. 150 x 120 cm<br />
Edition of five<br />
38 39<br />
Woman in Pink Dress, 2008<br />
C-print, Diasec. 150 x 120 cm<br />
Edition of five
Man in Red Sweatshirt 1, 2009<br />
C-print, Diasec. 150 x 120 cm<br />
Edition of five<br />
40 41<br />
Man in Red Sweatshirt 2, 2009<br />
C-print, Diasec. 150 x 120 cm<br />
Edition of five
42<br />
Woman with Purple Scarf, 2009<br />
C-print, Diasec. 150 x 120 cm<br />
Edition of five
Pertti Kekarainen<br />
Born in 1965 in Oulu, Finland<br />
Lives and works in <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Finland<br />
1989 De Vrije Academie von Beeldenden Kunsten, Den Haag<br />
1989 Academy of Fine Arts, <strong>Helsinki</strong><br />
1985 University of Industrial Arts, <strong>Helsinki</strong><br />
45
TILA (Passage IV), 2007<br />
C-print, Diasec. 195 x125 cm<br />
Edition of five<br />
Loan from the artist<br />
46 47<br />
TILA (passage V), 2007<br />
C-print, Diasec. 195 x125 cm<br />
Edition of five
48<br />
TILA (Passage VI), 2007<br />
C-print, Diasec. 195 x125 cm<br />
Edition of five<br />
Loan from the artist
Ola Kolehmainen<br />
Born in 1964 in <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Finland<br />
Lives and works in <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Finland and Berlin, Germany<br />
1999 University of Art and Design <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Department of <strong>Photography</strong>, MA<br />
1992 University of <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Department of Journalism<br />
51
Yellow with Black and Diagonals, 2004<br />
Analogue c-print, Diasec. 180 x 230 cm<br />
Edition of five<br />
52 53<br />
Voluptuous, 2008<br />
Analogue c-print, Diasec. 202 x 260 cm<br />
Edition of six
Minimal Interventions of Linear Elements, 2007<br />
Analogue c-print (diptych). 202 x 522 cm<br />
Edition of six<br />
55
57<br />
Pink, Orange and Grey with a Tree, 2004<br />
Analogue c-print, Diasec. 180 x 258 cm<br />
Edition of five
More or Less Less Organic, 2008<br />
Analogue c-print, Diasec. 140 x 186 cm<br />
Edition of three<br />
58 59<br />
Aalto, 2006<br />
Analogue c-print, Diasec. 180 x 245 cm<br />
Edition of six
Susanna Majuri<br />
Born in 1978 in <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Finland<br />
Lives and works in <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Finland<br />
2007 University of Art and Design <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Department of <strong>Photography</strong>, MA<br />
2004 Arts Academy / Turku Polytechnic, BA<br />
2000 Voionmaa College, <strong>Photography</strong><br />
1999 Orivesi College, Creative writing<br />
61
Birthday, 2007<br />
C-print, Diasec. 90 x 135 cm<br />
Edition of five<br />
62 63<br />
Salme, 2007<br />
C-print, Diasec. 80 X 120 cm<br />
Edition of five
Save, 2008<br />
C-print, Diasec. 90 x 135 cm<br />
Edition of five<br />
64 65<br />
Saviour, 2008<br />
C-print, Diasec. 90 x 135 cm<br />
Edition of five
<strong>Tiina</strong> <strong>Itkonen</strong><br />
Born 1968 in <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Finland<br />
Lives and works in <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Finland<br />
2002 University of Art and Design <strong>Helsinki</strong>, MA<br />
1995 Turku <strong>School</strong> of Art and Communication<br />
67
69<br />
Ice Fjord IlI, 2006<br />
C-print, Diasec. 70 x 200 cm<br />
Edition of seven
71<br />
Icescape I, 2006<br />
C-print, Diasec. 70 x 200 cm<br />
Edition of seven
73<br />
Kullorsuaq I, 2006<br />
C-print, Diasec. 70 x 200 cm<br />
Edition of seven
75<br />
Uummannaq III, 2007<br />
C-print, Diasec. 70 x 200 cm<br />
Edition of seven
76<br />
Man IV, 2002<br />
C-print, Diasec. 80 x 80 cm<br />
Edition of seven
Ilkka Halso<br />
Born in 1965 in Orimattila, Finland<br />
Lives and works in Orimattila, Finland<br />
1992 University of Art and Design <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Department of <strong>Photography</strong>, MA<br />
79
Untitled (2), 2000<br />
C-print, Diasec. 100 x 136 cm<br />
Edition of six<br />
80 81<br />
Untitled (3), 2000<br />
C-print, Diasec. 100 x 136 cm<br />
Edition of six
83<br />
Kitka River, 2004<br />
C-print, Diasec (tripych). 183 x 300 cm<br />
Edition of six
<strong>The</strong>atre I, 2003<br />
C-print, Diasec. 100 x 154 cm<br />
Edition of six<br />
84 85<br />
<strong>The</strong>atre II, 2008<br />
C-print, Diasec. 125 x 190 cm<br />
Edition of six
86<br />
Tree revolutions 1, 2008<br />
C-print, Diasec. 100 x 132 cm<br />
Edition of six
Kalle Kataila<br />
Born in 1978 in <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Finland<br />
Lives and works in <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Finland<br />
2006 – University of Art and Design <strong>Helsinki</strong>, Department of <strong>Photography</strong>, MA<br />
2004 Lahti Polytechnic, Institute of Design, Department of <strong>Photography</strong>, BA<br />
2002 UCE, University of Central England in Birmingham, Art and Design, <strong>Photography</strong><br />
89
Contemplation, Somerset, 2004<br />
Pigment print on photorag.<br />
90 x 110 cm; 105 x 135 cm, framed<br />
Edition of five<br />
90 91<br />
Contemplation, Guhyaloka, 2004<br />
Pigment print on photorag.<br />
90 x 120 cm; 105 x 135 cm, framed<br />
Edition of five
Contemplation, Lapland, 2007<br />
Pigment print on photorag.<br />
90 x 110 cm; 105 x 135 cm, framed<br />
Edition of five<br />
92 93<br />
Contemplation No.13, 2008<br />
Pigment print on photorag.<br />
90 x 110 cm; 105 x 135 cm, framed<br />
Edition of five
94<br />
Contemplation, Madrid, 2004<br />
Pigment print on photorag.<br />
90 x 120 cm; 105 x 135 cm, framed<br />
Edition of five<br />
All images<br />
© the artists 2009
COS_091356<br />
<strong>Photography</strong> <strong>matters</strong>: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Helsinki</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Statoil office, main reception,<br />
Drammensveien 264, Vækerø, Oslo, Norway<br />
1 October 2009 – 1 February 2010<br />
Statoil art programme<br />
www.statoil.com/artprogramme
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