ON DARKNESS. Posing New Questions to the Collection of the Maire Gullichsen Art Foundation
The exhibition examines the idea of darkness from a variety of perspectives. Darkness can refer concretely to the absence of light, but on a more metaphorical level it can also signify darkness of the mind. Science, religion, even the economy, all have their own definitions of darkness. Students from the Pori Unit of the Department of Art at Aalto University and Pori Art Museum Educational Unit.
In co-operation with: the Maire Gullichsen Art Foundation
MEDIA RELEASE
Press Conference for the Media
Thursday, February 6, 2014, at 11:00
Artist and Curator Talk
Friday, February 7, 2014, at 12:00
Exhibition Opening
Friday, February 7, 2014, at 18:00
BONUS Tour
Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at 18:00
FROM DARKNESS. New Questions for the MG Collection
February 7 – May 25, 2014 / Project Room
Exhibition Planning and Implementation / Invitation Design:
Päivi Hirsiaho, Pauliina Koivunen, Senni Pöyry, and Miissa Rantanen from the Department of Art at Aalto University’s Pori Unit & the Pori Art Museum’s Pedagogical Unit.
In Collaboration with:
Maire Gullichsen Art Foundation
The New Questions for the MG Collection exhibition series continues the Maire Gullichsen and Modernism series, which showcases the collections of the Maire Gullichsen Art Foundation. This series explores various ways of seeing and collaborates with diverse audiences. Artists drawing from modernist traditions are joined by contemporary creators in the exhibition.
“It was fascinating, as an outsider, to explore the museum’s storage—a magical sea of artworks. There the pieces physically sleep, resting until they are displayed or exhibited, available to be viewed. Aimo Kanerva’s Piru kept resurfacing at the center of thematic drafts. Ultimately, forgotten works, playfulness, intuition, and the role of women artists remained echoes beneath the surface of the darkness theme. To complement the limited number of women artists in the MG collection, we selected contemporaries from archival collections.”
“It is darkest just before the first glimmer of light,” someone says.
The process of assembling this exhibition naturally became a journey from darkness toward light.
The exhibition offers perspectives on what darkness means. Darkness may refer to a literal lack of light or dimness, but it can also symbolize concepts such as the darkness of the mind. Science, religion, and economics each give their interpretations of darkness. Darkness can also be understood through its opposites—brightness and light. Darkness may frighten, but it can also provide comfort.
In the exhibition’s works, darkness is reflected against natural forces and seasons, death, light, suffering, and absurdity. In addition to dark tones, the pieces incorporate color, sparkle, and nuance. Light lends darkness its astonishing power, becoming an integral part of a whole where one cannot exist without the other.
The works of Anna Retulainen (b. 1969) and Aimo Kanerva (1909–1991) guide the viewer’s thoughts from one extreme of the theme to the other, yet their creative energy shares a similar intensity. Between these extremes, the exhibition is supported by works from artists such as Eino Ruutsalo (1921–2001), Heimo Riihimäki (1907–1962), and Heli Hiltunen (b. 1960).
The exhibition’s works are selections from the Maire Gullichsen Art Foundation and the archival collections of the Pori Art Museum.
Special Events for From Darkness:
- March 8 (International Women’s Day): Songs of Darkness and Light by musician Jorma Lamminen
- March 20 (Senior Day), 13:00: Cultural researcher Antti Lindfors, MA, discusses the meanings and beliefs associated with darkness and light.
- April 2, 18:30: Cosmologist Syksy Räsänen lectures on The Invisible Skeleton – Dark Matter in the Universe.
Admission to all events is free.
Translated with ChatGPT