Breath
28.2.–23.3.2025
About the exhibition
The Breath exhibition presents a compact overview of the traditions of kinetic, conceptual and mechanical art through the works of artists who are current or former students of the Academy of Fine Arts. Long-spanning traditions and their evolution over the years are explored through various mediums. The solid and uncompromising oeuvre of artist duo Grönlund-Nisunen (Tommi Grönlund and Petteri Nisunen) has created a permanent reference point in the canon of contemporary art for examining optical, physical and mechanical phenomena. In this continuum, technological inventions and carefully defined natural phenomena are examined up close through refined artistic observation and thinking. The works are linked to the long history of op art, kinetic art, constructivism and installation art.
In contemporary art, a white cube has come to mean an invisible – and simultaneously a discursive and loaded – precondition for exhibiting art. Curated for the Kuva/Tila gallery, the exhibition centres around Grönlund-Nisunen’s installation Pneumatic Cloud (2007 / 2012 / 2021). Resembling an abstract cloud, this installation artwork moves slowly in response to changes in air pressure. The work creates a breathing, landscape-like situation in the minimalistic exhibition space. The installation, with preset timing, continuously alternates between inflation and deflation, creating a recurring rhythm inside the exhibition. The installation’s placement makes the viewer aware of the exhibition space and its dimensions.
The works that have been deliberately arranged around the installation are independent means of observation. They have been selected to engage in a dialogue with the Pneumatic Cloud and to open up varied approaches to the history of mechanical art. The installation’s artificial breathing creates a situation where the viewer can focus on being and observing their own bodily presence in the exhibition space, recognise their own breathing and relate their own experience, energy level and senses to the impulses offered by the works. Aspiration can gradually turn to inspiration.
The exhibition combines the history of kinetic and mechanical art with today’s discussions. Artists of different generations reflect on minimalism and mainly its theatrical relationship with the space and the viewer from their own chosen points of view. The works, which draw on technology and nature observation, breathe the same air. The art reveals material, visual and discursive connections to questions about the relationship between the living and the artificial, as well as about identities and genders, consumption and the poetics of space. Moreover, the exhibition delves into questions on the preconditions of site-specific art and how it is exhibited, reflecting also on the re-connections of different technologies through materials, structures and visual aspects.
The exhibition gives Petteri Nisunen the chance to introduce himself to the community in his role as the vice dean for education at the Academy of Fine Arts.
The curator for the exhibition is Dean of the Academy of Fine Arts Leevi Haapala.
Artists
Inka Bell
Petri Eskelinen
Grönlund-Nisunen
Sofia Haapamäki
Eetu Huhtala
Eeva Juuti ja Ville Laurinkoski
Diana Luganski
Priss Niinikoski
Raisa Raudas
Viktor Sundman
Emppu Veinola
Timo Viialainen
About the exhibition
The Breath exhibition presents a compact overview of the traditions of kinetic, conceptual and mechanical art through the works of artists who are current or former students of the Academy of Fine Arts. Long-spanning traditions and their evolution over the years are explored through various mediums. The solid and uncompromising oeuvre of artist duo Grönlund-Nisunen (Tommi Grönlund and Petteri Nisunen) has created a permanent reference point in the canon of contemporary art for examining optical, physical and mechanical phenomena. In this continuum, technological inventions and carefully defined natural phenomena are examined up close through refined artistic observation and thinking. The works are linked to the long history of op art, kinetic art, constructivism and installation art.
In contemporary art, a white cube has come to mean an invisible – and simultaneously a discursive and loaded – precondition for exhibiting art. Curated for the Kuva/Tila gallery, the exhibition centres around Grönlund-Nisunen’s installation Pneumatic Cloud (2007 / 2012 / 2021). Resembling an abstract cloud, this installation artwork moves slowly in response to changes in air pressure. The work creates a breathing, landscape-like situation in the minimalistic exhibition space. The installation, with preset timing, continuously alternates between inflation and deflation, creating a recurring rhythm inside the exhibition. The installation’s placement makes the viewer aware of the exhibition space and its dimensions.
The works that have been deliberately arranged around the installation are independent means of observation. They have been selected to engage in a dialogue with the Pneumatic Cloud and to open up varied approaches to the history of mechanical art. The installation’s artificial breathing creates a situation where the viewer can focus on being and observing their own bodily presence in the exhibition space, recognise their own breathing and relate their own experience, energy level and senses to the impulses offered by the works. Aspiration can gradually turn to inspiration.
The exhibition combines the history of kinetic and mechanical art with today’s discussions. Artists of different generations reflect on minimalism and mainly its theatrical relationship with the space and the viewer from their own chosen points of view. The works, which draw on technology and nature observation, breathe the same air. The art reveals material, visual and discursive connections to questions about the relationship between the living and the artificial, as well as about identities and genders, consumption and the poetics of space. Moreover, the exhibition delves into questions on the preconditions of site-specific art and how it is exhibited, reflecting also on the re-connections of different technologies through materials, structures and visual aspects.
The exhibition gives Petteri Nisunen the chance to introduce himself to the community in his role as the vice dean for education at the Academy of Fine Arts.
The curator for the exhibition is Dean of the Academy of Fine Arts Leevi Haapala.
Artists
Inka Bell
Petri Eskelinen
Grönlund-Nisunen
Sofia Haapamäki
Eetu Huhtala
Eeva Juuti ja Ville Laurinkoski
Diana Luganski
Priss Niinikoski
Raisa Raudas
Viktor Sundman
Emppu Veinola
Timo Viialainen