Helsinki, October 16, 2010
Nice time for Finland. The exhibitions here in Helsinki have been remarkable. At Kiasma two really powerful works from 2 female artists one from Estonia, Kristina Norman the other Swiss, Sasha Huber. Both works address ethnic and racial issues in conflict with accepted social “norms”. A timely subject indeed. After War by Kristina Norman recreates a Soviet War memorial removed from Tallinn by the majority Estonian government resulting in outrage and days of rioting among the Russian minority. The act is a call for tolerance and peaceful co-existence. Sasha Huber’s work Rentyhorn makes a symbolic trek (via helicopter) to the summit of Agassi Horn in Switzerland to rename the mountain Renty Horn, named after the African woman photographed by Agassiz to propagate his racist agenda.
One can top this visit off with the South African exhibition at the City Museum of Helsinki that goes far beyond William Kentridge, who is included. There is an amazing installation by Jane Alexander who’s work The Promised Land of Security Services, portrays Egyptian-like anthropomorphic figures in shamanic attire walking inside a barbed wire enclosure filled with discarded red rubber gloves, and confiscated scythes, machetes. Then works in photography by Pieter Hugo documenting a wandering band of animal trainers, with Hyennas and baboons in tow from Nigeria. Sculptures and photos from Nandipha Mntambo provoking reflections on European mythology with African shamanic gestures. Mikhael Subotzky’s photo documentation of a High Security prison in Cape Town, and Zanele Muholi’s photo self-portraiture in Massa ja Minah in the servant roles she takes from her mother’s experience.
Clearly, good things are happening here.
