CAGE – Johanna Lecklin
A new video art work by Johanna Lecklin, which is based on a participatory video project that spans several years.
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MEDIA RELEASE
“Why is that in the cage?”
“Because it’s stupid and it smells. Look how dirty it is!”
“Don’t even think you’re getting out of there!”
“Disgusting!”
The video work Cage addresses a subject that has recently been heavily featured in Finnish media. The piece is based on a cruel act of bullying experienced in childhood, where children of the same age torment their friend. Bullying during childhood leaves scars on its victims that can potentially affect them for the rest of their lives. Cage depicts the tangled emotions and memories that have become deeply embedded in the mind, feelings, and subconscious of the now-grown victim.
Johanna Lecklin focuses on storytelling in her artistic practice. Storytelling involves transforming events into words, images, and sounds. Lecklin uses video and photography as tools to engage audiences in the process. Story Café is a participatory video art concept developed by Lecklin, offering everyone the opportunity to share a story. She has set up temporary cafes in various parts of Europe, including gallery spaces, coffee shops, and commercial venues, such as in London (2004), Helsinki (2006 and 2010), Limerick (2006), Liverpool (2010), and Brussels (2009). Over a cup of coffee or tea, participants can share a story that is recorded on video. Later, the artist may use these recordings as the basis for dramatized short films.
Lecklin’s video works draw visual inspiration from 1970s home movies, early silent films, and even musicals. She has a particular interest in the “bad deeds” committed by girls. Through her work, Lecklin seeks to draw attention to bullying among children, both verbal and physical. Childhood experiences have a lasting impact on both the perpetrator and the victim. Unprocessed events from the past can gain significant weight in memories. Bullying brings forth a complex mix of emotions, such as shame, sadness, revenge, and anger.
Lecklin interprets stories from various perspectives, aiming to deepen our understanding of the events and reveal their universal nature. Through her artistic methods, she offers us a chance to see, experience, and share matters often considered too personal to discuss with others.
Johanna Lecklin holds a Master’s degree from the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, where she graduated in 2003 from the Time and Space Arts department. She also earned a Master’s degree in Art History from the University of Helsinki in 2008 and studied media art at the Slade School of Fine Art (UCL) in London from 1998 to 1999. She is currently pursuing doctoral studies at the Academy of Fine Arts and conducting postgraduate research in Art History at the University of Helsinki. Her works have been exhibited in numerous exhibitions and presented at art and film festivals both in Finland and internationally.
The single-channel version of Cage premiered at Pori Art Museum. A dual-channel version was completed in 2013.
Translated with ChatGPT