Confrontation At Forum Box Gallery

 

 

Despite so-called empowering, technological revolution, people are actually less connected with others as a result of class and society. This spring, Forum Box gallery in Helsinki, which held this year’s World Design Capital, presents an exhibition of three young artists that each tell stories of confrontation with modern society.

“I Don’t Scare Easily But…” an exhibition by Paula Ollikainen communicates the Cold War atmosphere of Finland between 70’s and 80’s and how the past tension has left its marks and continues to affect current thinking, even today. The paintings tell different stories of the problematic relationship with the Soviet Union, a subject that was considered from a tiny nation’s point of view, as an ever-present threat but also quite the opposite: a place for cheap and exciting tourism. One painting presents Finnish tourists refueling their car at a Russian gas station and paying for the cheap liquid with a pair of nylon tights – under Communist rule, these were a rare luxury. Even though today Russia is an established democracy, in many aspects it still seems to be a world apart from Finland, despite being right on the other side of the border. This confrontation is elucidated by her use of nuanced color, bringing to life the underlying tensions in the imagery.

Samppa Törmälehto’s exhibition “Easy on Sundays” studies the rights and liberties of individuals, posited with those who establish conventional ruling structures.  The works question whether breaking the rules in certain situations can be considered acceptable or even desirable. Often, rules and regulations are an attempt to protect individuals in society, but at times these restrictions end up complicating our everyday lives and hindering our natural way of life. Törmälehto explores this confrontation with a humorous touch – which is typical of his style – and presents absurd, often insignificant situations that question our ability to discern right and wrong. “Keep Out” urges viewers to stay away but does not provide an explanation as to why. When exhibited in a public gallery, such authoritative statements are near comical, presenting society as simply a bunch of rules. The artist describes his style as akin to “B-horror movies”, which do not insist how societies should be organized because the line between right and wrong blurred.

Törmälehto’s work stands out as an exciting combination controlled spontaneity and coincidences where stiff paintwork is applied lovingly against lighter marks. His irrational confrontations are embodied through a variation of “bad painting” techniques with delicate, beautiful strokes. Here the distinction between good and bad is delicate – if it even exists at all.

The third young artist, Jussi Goman, boldly combines diverse techniques in order to present a cross section of different realities. “The foundation of my work is often derived from feelings from encounters or lack thereof, with people that society leaves behind,” Goman explains. Current events, childhood stories like Little Red Riding Hood and The Old Testament, create the core of the works in the exhibition named aptly “The Stall.”  As in Törmälehto’s paintings, Goman also uses humor to suggest that serious issues are only as serious as we want them to be.  

Although the artists differ greatly in style, they all possess a strong capacity to convey a range of emotion both sensitive and depressing, and yet leave space for coincidences that allow for further interpretation and enjoyment. Confrontation seems to be intrinsic to human nature. However, as this exhibit shows, we must occasionally step back to see how hilarious our lives have become.

The exhibition is held from May 25 – June 17, 2012, in Forum Box, Ruoholahdenranta 3 A, Helsinki, Finland.  http://www.forumbox.fi/en/home/