EXTENSION.FI: END OF THE WORLD IN THE SMALL MYSTERIOUS FOREST

February 9 — March 5, 2017
Triumph Gallery

Triumph Gallery presents sixth exhibition in the frameworks of the EXTENSION project, which is dedicated to the current art scene of different countries. In 2017−2018 the project is focused on art from the countries of Northern Europe. The exhibitions will be dedicated to the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

The exhibition EXTENSION. FI: End of the World in the Mysterious Forest addresses to the current art scene of Finland. Two-thirds of Finland’s territory is overgrown with forest and although urbanism has not circumvented the country, and it is hard to call this gift of nature completely chaste the relations between Finns and the nature could be termed complex, but are at the same inseparable and even sentimental. The forest, simultaneously a threat, refuge, helper, and guardian of sacred knowledge and strength, is faithfully represented in the famous Karelian-Finnish epic poem Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot, where there are no boundaries between mankind, nature and mysticism. It is highly unlikely that the story described in runes is a coffee table book for modern Finns. But at the same time, the sensation of a forest bestowing a feeling of freedom, secrecy and adventure lives on to this day.

Juona Karsi
Rye street
2015
Mixed media
90 × 160 × 110 cm

The exhibition EXTENSION. FI: End of the World in the Mysterious Forest addresses to the current art scene of Finland. Two-thirds of Finland’s territory is overgrown with forest and although urbanism has not circumvented the country, and it is hard to call this gift of nature completely chaste the relations between Finns and the nature could be termed complex, but are at the same inseparable and even sentimental. The forest, simultaneously a threat, refuge, helper, and guardian of sacred knowledge and strength, is faithfully represented in the famous Karelian-Finnish epic poem Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot, where there are no boundaries between mankind, nature and mysticism. It is highly unlikely that the story described in runes is a coffee table book for modern Finns. But at the same time, the sensation of a forest bestowing a feeling of freedom, secrecy and adventure lives on to this day.

The visual language in Finnish contemporary art is metaphorical and perception-oriented, primarily on the emotional and sensual level. The issues that to a large extent preoccupy artists today could be packed up together in a system consisting of the following key components: migration processes and the problems of identity, social stratification, the rights of sexual minorities, criticism of consumer society, and the impact of the Internet and technologies. However, such interest is more expressive in nature, or to be more accurate is reflected in a visual language through which one can discern the roots of Finnish identity and which articulates the ability of Finns to be global and at the same time remain true to themselves: an ability to approach the most complex and harshest existentialist issues always with philosophical perspicacity, figurativeness and through the prism of man and nature: animals and plants are often accorded the images and social roles of people, while modern man seeks harmony and his own self in the surrounding nature.

Monuments for the Unseen (Crystal blue)
2014
Color photo print
142 × 185 cm

The visual language in Finnish contemporary art is metaphorical and perception-oriented, primarily on the emotional and sensual level. The issues that to a large extent preoccupy artists today could be packed up together in a system consisting of the following key components: migration processes and the problems of identity, social stratification, the rights of sexual minorities, criticism of consumer society, and the impact of the Internet and technologies. However, such interest is more expressive in nature, or to be more accurate is reflected in a visual language through which one can discern the roots of Finnish identity and which articulates the ability of Finns to be global and at the same time remain true to themselves: an ability to approach the most complex and harshest existentialist issues always with philosophical perspicacity, figurativeness and through the prism of man and nature: animals and plants are often accorded the images and social roles of people, while modern man seeks harmony and his own self in the surrounding nature.

curator
Yana Tibben

artists
Axel Antas
Petri Ala-Maunus
Мика Карху
Samu Raatikainen
Anna Tuori
Kari Caven
Kaarina Kaikkonen
Pekka Jylhä
Tuomas A. Laitinen
Mikka Vaskola
Jouna Karsi
Leena Nio
Jarmo Mäkilä
Mika Karhu
IC-98

Samu Raatikainen
On the fringes
2014
Mixed media, fibreboard
45 × 134 cm

curator
Yana Tibben

artists
Axel Antas
Petri Ala-Maunus
Мика Карху
Samu Raatikainen
Anna Tuori
Kari Caven
Kaarina Kaikkonen
Pekka Jylhä
Tuomas A. Laitinen
Mikka Vaskola
Jouna Karsi
Leena Nio
Jarmo Mäkilä
Mika Karhu
IC-98