Milja Laurila
Chiphers
15.7.–2.8.2009
Galleria Huuto Uudenmaankatu
How fascinating and voluptuous the world of knowledge is!
My exhibition Salakirjoituksia (’Ciphers’) consists of texts and photographs from out-of-date Finnish non-fiction books. What happens to pictures and words when they are detached from their contexts? Do they forget what they once were proof of?
The grainy black-and-white photographs in these old books portray exotic places and animals: The Cave of Han River; The Monster of the Dark Depths. Poetic entries such as Tomorrow’s Engine describe the most recent achievements of mankind and technology. Is this science? How should life be told about in order to be credible? Can sensible be beautiful? Who makes the rules for searching for the truth?
The 1952 edition of Pikku Jättiläinen, a popular Finnish non-fiction book, describes a scale used for measuring the magnitude of an earthquake. It contains ten levels, the sixth of which is as follows:
Those asleep will awaken; all small bells chime.
The clocks stop, and trees and bushes sway considerably.
Is it so that mere knowledge cannot solve the mystery of life?
For additional info and press photos, please contact:
Milja Laurila
milja.laurila(at)taik.fi
tel. +35850 5851541
