Päivi Häkkinen, Maija Saksman and Tellervo Viitaniemi
SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME – comprehensive artwork
Galleria Huuto Jätkäsaari 1
18.4.–4.5.2014
(Gallery in Jätkäsaari is open during Easter holidays, Good Friday – Easter Sunday 18-20 April 2014 at 12-5 pm.)
Men and women are lying all over the hall floor and under the table. The table has been set for thirteen people. But why isn’t anybody moving? What was the party? Or was the wedding perhaps called off?
One person has a camera around their neck and another one is wearing bunny ears. A third one arrived on horseback.
Somewhere else in a dark room a man has just woken up. Did he sleep for a hundred years? Did he wake up for good?
The love of the past life is dancing on the ceiling.
Three portraits of real-life heroes have been hung on the wall of the hall. A horse, a man, a man and a horse. Are they heroes who fought for their country, family or themselves or are they victims?
The horse is also sleeping, sleeping forever. Did someone hurt the horse because its head looks destroyed?
The barrel of a gun peeks out somewhere and no one has turned off the music.
Only a man who left the party can be seen dancing on the surveillance camera. Dancing alone in the gallery yard, dancing his own dance like there’s no tomorrow.
Children are looking through the window. An adult can no longer see.
……
Sculptures by Päivi Häkkinen
Videos and voices by Maija Saksman
Graphic works by Tellervo Viitaniemi
This exhibition has been inspired by several historical incidents. It shows both protagonists and bystanders. Coincidentally, some of those historical characters also are remote kinsmen of the artist.
Personages:
Juho Theodor Viitasaari,
a kinsman of Tellervo Viitaniemi, a baker, a founder member of SKP, (Communist Party of Finland). He was killed in the conflict in the Kuusinen club, in Saint Petersburg in 1920.
Liisa Savolainen,
a clerk, one of the eight victims of the above mentioned conflict.
Elvira and Voitto Eloranta,
both members of the opposition within SKP, convicted of eight murders in the Kuusinen club. Elvira Eloranta was executed on 17 April, 1925.
Richard Forssel,
a kinsman of Päivi Häkkinen, a student of art and an amateur artist. He photographed the beggar boy in Padasjoki in the year of famine 1878. Richard died in Padasjoki in the on 17 April, 1896.
Urho Ilmari Kukkamaa,
was said to be the best burglar ever in Finland, specialized in safes and jewels. He was born in 3 May.
The artists are grateful to:
Seppo Renvall
…..
Further information:
Tellervo Viitaniemi, tel. +358 44 523 3717
Päivi Häkkinen, tel. +358 50 350 8960
