im Rahmen des 8. Internationalen Waldkunstpfades Kunst Transformation und anlässlich der 9. Fototage Darmstadt

Eröffnung Mi 20. April 2016 um 19 Uhr mit der Performance mit Martha
von Helinä Hukkataival
Ausstellungsdauer Mi 20. - Fr 29. April 2016, Öffnungszeiten Mo - Do 9 - 15 Uhr, Fr 9 - 14 Uhr Sa und So 11 - 17 Uhr

Internationales Waldkunst Zentrum

Begrüßung von Alexandra Lechner, Darmstädter Tage der Fotografie, Einführung von Ute Ritschel, Kuratorin Verein für Internationale Waldkunst

FIRST YOU HAVE TO BE A MARTHA, 2014 - performances for camera

by Helinä Hukkataival

The theme for the photos comes from the time in September 2012, when I was staying in Rome, in the Scandinavian artist's residency, Circolo Scandinavo. I was reading about St. Birgitta of Sweden and the Birgitta nuns, who still have a small cloister and a guesthouse in Rome. Somewhere in the texts I found one of St.Birgitta teachings summarized like this: In order to be Maria, you first have to be Martha. The importance of taking care of everyday tasks like cleaning, mending, washing laundry, is perhaps only recognized when they are left undone. Martha is the one who has traditionally taken care of these small but necessary things, usually not Martin.

The photos are taken in Rome and in Finland

Das Thema für die Fotos entstand im September 2012, als ich mich in Rom aufhielt, in der skandinavischen Künstlerresidenz, Circolo Scandinavo. Dort habe ich über St. Birgitta von Schweden und die Birgitta Nonnen gelesen, die noch ein kleines Kloster und ein Gästehaus in Rom haben. Irgendwo in den Texten fand ich eine der Lehren von St.Birgitta wie folgt zusammengefasst: Um Maria zu sein, mußt du zunächst Martha sein. Die Bedeutung die täglich durchzuführenden Aufgaben wie Putzen, Ausbessern, Wäschewaschen, wird vielleicht nur erkannt, wenn sie unerledigt bleiben. Martha ist derjenige, der traditionell diese kleinen, aber notwendigen Dinge getan hat, in der Regel nicht Martin.

Die Bilder wurden in Rom und Finnland gemacht.

Biographie

Helinä Hukkataival
1941, Helsinki
Lives in Tampere, Finland

Practice as an artist since 1969, while working as an art teacher of comprehensive and upper secondary school until 2001. Since 1990 concentrates mainly in performance art. 2002 starts working with video. Since 2011 works also with photographs. 2004 received The State Prize for Visual Art. Solo and group exhibitions, performances, live performance- and video installations in Finland and other countries.

The artworks deal with trying to find the universal level within personal experiences by showing small incidents,
subtle shades and relations, which influence us even if unnoticed. Live performances are pre-considered, visual actions where ordinary things turn and change with unexpected logic. They are always open to different interpretations as are the photos and many videos, which are independent works based on performance.

Performances

Kajaani Art Museum, Kajaani, Finland 2016
Sara Hildén Art Museum, Tampere, Finland 2015
KNIR (The Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome) 2015
Perfomedia Festival, Krakow, Poland 2015
South Karelia Art Museum, Finland 2015
Connection – Perfolink Europa to Latin America Performance Art Festival 2013 Santiago Chile
Guangzhou Live3 Action Art Festival, China 2012
La Bás Biennale Helsinki , Kiasma Theatre 2012
Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova Museum, Turku, Finland 2011
Vogelfrei 9 -“Jäger und Sammler ” Darmstadt,Germany 2011
Infr’Action Venezia 2011, 2013, 2015

Videoworks

Kajaani Art Museum, Kajaani, Finland 2016
Sara Hildén Art Museum, Tampere 2015
TOOLBOX, Berlin 2015
Gallery Jangva, Helsinki 2015, 2014, 2012
Nordic Filmfest Roma, Italy 2014
Gallery TILA Helsinki 2013 and 2011
Galleria Antares, Ruokolahti 2012

Photos

Solo exhibition in Gallery Jangva Studio, Helsinki 2015, 2014, 2012
TILA Gallery, Helsinki 2013
NYKYAIKA Photographic Centre 30th Anniversary Exhibition, Tampere 2012

Monography: Helinä Hukkataival – Between Ritual and Carnival
Authors: Mervi Appel, Mieke Bal, Helinä Hukkataival
Publisher: Kehrer Verlag Heidelberg, October 2015
ISBN 978-3-86828-628-1

www.hukkataival.weebly.com
http://www.av-arkki.fi/taiteilijat/helina-hukkataival/
www.hukkataival.fi
25.1.2016