The Truth About Finland

The Truth About Finland

10.–16.7.2017
Puuvillanpuisto, Pohjoisranta, Pori
Opening on Saturday 8 July 2pm – 6pm
Exhibition open 10.–16.7. (Mon-Sun) 12 – 6pm

Initiated by the Porin kulttuurisäätö (Anna Jensen, Eliisa Suvanto & Anni Venäläinen) The Truth About Finland project consists of two exhibitions and a catalogue presenting contributions from over 100 artists and researchers. The first part took place in June in Kallio Kunsthalle, Helsinki in June 2017. The second part is organized in a temporary exhibition space built specially for the exhibition and placed in the Puuvillanpuisto park milieu between the Kokemäenjoki river and the old Cotton Mill. The exhibition catalogue combining these two events will be available in the exhibition.

To honor the Finland’s 100-year-old independence Porin kulttuurisäätö has invited artists and researchers – the same group who was originally responsible of building Finland’s identity leaning on romantic nationalism – to rethink and update the vision what Finland stands today. Art has always been a significant part in building the nationalistic identity: throughout the history it has both reflected and created the nation’s spirit and also provided a tool for critical perception.

Porin kulttuurisäätö is an artist-curator collective formed in 2013. The aim of the group is to organise exhibitions, events, projects and seminars that question and reconstruct the structures existing both in the art world and in our society. Previous exhibitions include Sponsor in 2013, Pori Biennale in 2014, Pori World Expo in 2015 and the Bloody Summer exhibition – Pori Biennale in 2016.

The Truth About Finland exhibitions and catalogue includes contributions from the participating artists and researchers:

Aiju Salminen, Andre Vicentinti, Andrea Coyotzi Borja, Anna Estarriola, Anna-Sofia Sysser, Anssi Pulkkinen, Antti Turkko, Antti-Juhani Manninen, Artor Jesus Inkerö, Arttu Merimaa, Aukusti Heinonen, Azar Saiyar, Camille Auer, Chow Yik, Christine Langinauer, Denise Ziegler, Eetu Henttonen, Elina Lifländer, Elmeri Terho, Emma Suominen, Erno-Erik Raitanen, Farbod Fakharzadeh, Hans-Peter Schütt, Harri Laakso, Harrie Liveart, Heikki Hautala, Helen Aleksandrova, Helmi Kajaste, Henna Tyrväinen, Henrik Heinonen, Hertta Kiiski, Heta Kaisto, Jaakko Leeve, Jaakko Pallasvuo, Jani-Petteri Virta, Jari Kallio, Jari Suominen, Jenni Yppärilä, Jouko Korkeasaari, Jouni Kujansuu, Juha Hilpas, JULMAH, Juuso Noronkoski, Kaarlo Stauffer, Kaisa Salmi, Katri Naukkarinen, Kiia Beilinson, Kimmo Saastamoinen, Kristian Jalava, Lasse Lecklin, Lauri Linna, Leena-Maija Rossi ja Kari Soinio, Liisa Lounila, Maarit Mustonen, Maija Savolainen, Maija Tammi, Maiju Loukola, Marika Orenius, Marina Valle Noronha, Markus Luiro, Marloes van Son, Marta Khrshanovskaya, Martina Mino, Martinez, Matti Tanskanen, Miissa Rantanen, Mika Savela, Minna Henriksson, Mirva Helenius, Nabb+Teeri, Nestori Syrjälä, Niilo Rinne, Niina Cochran, Niko Tii Nurmi Sipiläinen, Oliver Whitehead, Paavo Paunu, Parsa Kamehkhosh, Petteri Nisunen, Pia Euro, Rami Vierula, Reetta Aalto, Rodrigo Téllez Repetto, Sanna Lehtinen, Sanna Ritvanen, Sanna Sarva, Sanna Vainionpää, Sara Kärpänen, Sasha Huber, Sauli Sirviö, Simo Saarikoski, Taina Rajanti, Taina Riikonen, Tanja Kiiveri, Timo Wright, Tuomas Linna, Tuomo Rainio, Vappu Jalonen, Ville Andersson, Ville Lampi, Ville Vuorenmaa.

The first part of the Truth About Finland in Kallio Kunsthalle was created together with Miika Tervonen, nynnyt (Hanna Ohtonen and Selina Väliheikki), Honkasalo-Niemi-Virtanen -collective and Erno-Erik Raitanen. Project has been realized together with Aalto University’s Pori Live and is supported by The City of Pori and Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Satakunta region.

The Age of Exophobia (2017)

We should not become attached to physical places as we can not comprehensively grasp them – We should be wary of nostalgia.

Installation view photos by Niilo Rinne