A building of economy may be a boring place in the general eye of an artist. Still there is an architectonic aspect of the building that can co-exist with the art and bring out the best of both. A good example of this is the installation in the lobby. It brings out the height of the two floors and has raised many thoughts.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
The naked walls of the building is now covered with wonderful pieces of art. This raises the question what will happen after the exhibition, will the building be even more empty than before?
But what is art? Or rather what is the art work? Is it the installations and the photographs as they are? Or is it the journey and the actions behind them? Or is it the exhibiton itself, how the works and the architecture communicate with one and other forming an interesting unit? These were questions that rose alongside us working with the exhibition during opening week. It is no coincidence that the exhibition was placed in the bussines school of our university, the koncept was to take over the building, and now there is few spaces not touched by the art.
One of the things we first noticed with the exhibition being placed in a bussnies school were peoples reactions to the works. The exhibition recieved a lot of attention even before it was all in place. Would it have recieved as much attention had it been placed within the building of some other faculty? We like to think that maybe one of the resons it did was because it was palced in a space less used to art than say for example the faculty of arts, and therefore involved people in an other way. Observing people there were both positive and negative reactions to the works. Some thought it brought light, color and exitement to a dull building from the 60s, while others couldn’t understand the need for it.
So far the Light and Form installation at the entrence and main staircase of the building recieved a lot of attention. It’s placemant forced people to change the way they were used to move in this particular space, which resulted in quite a few complaing about it being in the way and wondering how long it was supposed to stay there. Others loved the light an playfulness it brought and how it gave life to the architecture. Passerbys have for example called it “trash” or “northern light” one person did not even think of it as art. The photographs recieved a lot of attention from the staff and a few discusscussed the opportunity to buy their favourites to place them in their offices, while others cleaned up the bulletin boards outide their rooms as not to compete with the art work.
Our world is full of impressions, to many for us to handle all at once. By closing out parts we can get a better understanding of the rest.
Today Simo Alitalos soundwalk opened up a new world in well-known surroundings by closing out conversation. This let the minds focus on the soundscape of the city. This was followed by a conversation and a very interesting symphony made by Alitalo for Turku 2011.
http://aurajokisinfonia.wordpress.com/
Åbo Akademy foundation invited us on a tour inside the observatory with beautiful architecture and views over Turku.
The opening day of the exhibition started with a lecture by Professor Pierre Guillet de Monthoux discussing the complexity of the field and the linkage between business, philosophy, history and art. Andy Warhol with a background in marketing, was able to create art from commercial everyday objects and linked at least two of the fields. The opening ceremony following was grand with celebrating words and greetings to the Cultural capital Turku 2011.
The exhibition tour enabled people to enjoy the actual art in the building and mingle with other participants. There was food and wine involved
Artist Jan Kenneth Weckman held the second lecture contrasting Pierre Guillet de Monthoux on how art and business is not linked. Exemplified by the work of Michelangelo Pistoletto.
A panel discussion with Gruppe 77 and Jan Kenneth Weckman about artists role as an entrepreneur followed. After the discussion we had the privilege to take part in the performance, Destruction of beauty, by artist and nomad Jan Andersson. This reflected on the problem of preserving beautiful buildings from being demolished. There was also coffee and cake involved
Journalist Arne Ruth both summarized and expanded today’s topics with freedom of expression. Examples from his life gave depth to the discussion.
Ps. There was also a dinner involved. Thanks for the food
When we first sat down today we started thinking about how this whole thing started. How did we end up in this project, standing knee-deep in snow trying to hold a blue bubble in its place?
So far the project has been intriguing, fun and confusing. It is interesting to see how the exhibition is taking form, it is quite different from what we imagined when we first heard about it. The artist are nice and have been trying to find time to get us involved, but it´s not always easy to keep up. Entering into the project knowing very little about it has been a challenge. and it has taken its time to figure out what we really are doing.
Today we found ourselves knee-deep in snow trying to hold one of the art pieces (an inflatable blue bubble) in place. Me Ida had been documenting the bubble fist being inflated up on a roof, but because of the wind it had to be moved to the ground. The piece is for the exhibition opening and quite big. Many people stooped and looked as the bubble was taking its form and we got many interesting looks and comments. If this is not hands on marketing I don’t know what is.
There are many more stories and observations to be toold, but it has been a loong day for all of us so lets continue an other time.
