Gabriella Presnal’s review focuses on reflective versus restorative nostalgia and the Americanization of Finnish visual and contemporary culture.

“From June 11 to August 28, 2022, Anssi Kasitonni displayed his works at Taidehalli. I was briefly familiar with his works through social media and particularly liked one of his previous works, The Simpsons (2021), which was not shown in this exhibition but depicted the classic couch intro from the same-name cartoon using silver-plated fiberglass and candy paints. I hadn’t read much into his work before seeing his solo exhibition. After my visit, I had more questions than answers, as is usual after visiting any number of art exhibitions. Unfortunately, the works exhibited at Taidehalli lacked individual artwork statements. The exhibition text broadly describes how his works “dive into the breathtaking world of fast cars, drag races, and motorsports” and provide a “window into the past, a nostalgic era of mass culture”.1”….

Café Raina in Tampere, FI, 30.3-21.4.22

Ephemerality is the concept of things being transitory and existing only briefly. It is also used to describe biological and even geographical occurrences. For example, streams are ephemeral as even though they are perceived to be continuous, they are discontinuous as they alter from degradation to aggradation of their surroundings.

The artists explore ephemerality through biological processes, like a burning fire, or photosynthesis, as well as more somatic or individual experiences with their bodies & minds. Ephemerality can be found in the moments we feel isolated, anxious, in (or out of) control, fleeting thoughts, or solace in our lives. We find it in the transitory moments when we create, dance, or simply exist in our bodies. We invite you to explore Ephemeral and reflect on the ephemerality within your own life.

The artists within this exhibition include Daria Crãciun, Victoria Fofanova, Veera Jokitalo, Emily Laakso, Nadine Labib, Mikko Louhimaa, and Sami Sakari.

Curated by Gabriella Presnal.

Exhibition sponsored by Tampere University of Applied Sciences.

Mediapolis, Tampere, FI. 1.4-8.4.22

The students use experimental technology and experimental mediums with paper-based and painting materials, such as using dirt, pills, and much more. The themes presented within this pop-up exhibition surround our connections with personal somatic experiences, memories, and nature. For example, having a chronic illness, social isolation during COVID-19, and finding serenity and oddness within our surroundings.

The artists (24 total) in this exhibition included: Robert Eftychiou, Victoria Fofanova, Halla Hannelin, Aliisa Isohanni, Saija Kalliojärvi, Chanbi Kim, Emily Laakso, Nadine Labib, Mikko Lappi, Hayoung Lee, Ailandas Legačinskas, Jonna Lehtomaa, Teini Piibemaa, Jan Pitkäsalo, Julia Porra, Gabriella Presnal, Melina Richter, Sami Sakari, Jacqueline Stâhle, Silja Tusa, Megan Wearen, Mika Yli-Mäyry, Masia Zajaczkowska, & Maria Zapf.

Curated by Gabriella Presnal.

Exhibition sponsored by Tampere University of Applied Sciences.

Virtual Kunstmatrix Exhibition

The exhibition has selected works also shown in Connections (4-8.4.22) and Ephemeral (30.3.22 – 21.4.22) exhibitions which are in-person iWeek 2022 exhibitions, as well as entirely new works from more of our students.

The students use experimental technology, mixed media materials such as dirt & pills, animation, photography, painting & drawing works, illustrated webcomics, moving image works, and much more.

The exhibition has works surrounding themes like personal somatic experiences, nature, emotions, nightmares, memories, and then learning experiments. All of which describe their own realm or plane of how we exist in this world, whether it be a more abstract or realistic representation of how we experience life.

The artists (18 total) within this exhibition include Duc Anh Cong, Daria Crăciun, Victoria Fofanova, Veera Jokitalo, Janika Keskitalo, Elina Fiona Kinnunen, Emily Laakso, Nadine Labib, Mikko Lappi, Mikko Louhimaa, Teuta Pashnjari, Teini Piibemaa, Gabriella Presnal, Anu Sabu, Sami Sakari, Eevi Siniketo, Chau Anh Tran, and Silja Tusa.

Curated by Gabriella Presnal.

Exhibition sponsored by Tampere University of Applied Sciences.

Virtual Kunstmatrix Exhibition

Created for the annual iWeek / Eye on TAMK, this virtual exhibition serves to compile the works created by students currently studying at Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) during the 2022 iWeek received through a voluntary open call after iWeek and the workshop teachers.

This virtual exhibition Workshops shows the works resulting from the Multidisciplinary Workshop What I've Always Wanted To Say led by Dorothee Weinlicj, Jutta Brinkmann, Anke Wiesenthal, Esther-Marie Kröger, the Creating Poster Or Installation In The Context Of The Current War workshop led by Tibor Kecskes, the Essence In Film Storytelling And Visual Expression led by Beth McCann and Pavel Prokopic, and last but not least, the Film Expression workshop led by Yara Nashawaty.

The students within this exhibition include Duc Anh Cong (Ducky), Daria Crăciun, Aliisa Isohanni, Emily Laakso, Kaiden Martinšek, Gabriella Presnal, Mika Yli-Mäyry, and various students from the iWeek 2022 What I've Always Wanted To Say workshop.

As well as contributions from workshop teachers such as Pavel Prokopic who has edited the footage from the workshop to create the work exhibited in this exhibition.

Curated by Gabriella Presnal.

Exhibition sponsored by Tampere University of Applied Sciences.

Tietotiistai (Knowledge Tuesday in English) is that Nuori Taide produces content about a certain subject regarding the field of Contemporary Art and uploads it on the Instagram story or Live on chosen Tuesdays, usually once a month.  

Soyoung Chung coordinated the project while working as a production assistant for Nuori Taide and I worked with her as a co-creator for this project.

Animated stop motion scenes for a YLE children’s television show Pienet Koneet using Dragon Frame.