Advancement of international career paths for Finnish contemporary artists working in multidisciplinary fields
Project Description
Contemporary art evolves constantly, and contemporary artists search for new contexts for their work. Cross-discipline art forms require renewed competences and new expertise. Out of the Box is a cultural export project by Arts Management Helsinki, and it focuses on developing tools and skills for international work and collaboration in experimental art, taking place outside of conventional contexts and institutions. The project is supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
The project involves artists within the freelance field, working in cross-sector, multidisciplinary areas.
The project consists of three cases: Niskanen & Salo, Meiju Niskala & People and the Arts Management Helsinki freelance artists’ community.
Niskanen & Salo: Interactive Performances of Light and Sound as Platforms of Encounter
Niskanen & Salo is an artist duo based in Helsinki, Finland and New York City. Their installations often combine light, sound, video, and everyday objects to create platforms for many forms of human interaction, surprising encounters, and intense rendezvous between strangers. Works have been created and presented at e.g. Kiasma, SIC gallery, Hangö Teaterträff and URB festival in Finland, and at Mana Contemporary Chicago and Miami Art Week.
Niskanen & Salo create installations and art works that do not fit into existing categories. Presentation of these works requires various skills from the buyers, presenters, or spaces, whether they are museums, festivals, or art galleries.
During 2018-2019 Niskanen & Salo work in Finland and abroad. They have been invited for a one year residency at Mana Contemporary in the USA, in collaboration with New Museum. One commission will be made for the invitational exhibition Mana Seven, which will tour in Jersey City, Chicago and Miami, in the programs of Art Basel Miami and Miami Art Week. Niskanen & Salo will also create commissions by Helsinki Festival and Helsinki Art Museum HAM, among others.
Meiju Niskala & People: Art as Platform for Empathy and Encounter
Meiju Niskala is an award-winning artist who specialises in community processes. Meiju Niskala & People produces high quality, multi-disciplinary art in public spaces and close to people. Artworks deal with meaningful life, humanity and society, and they involve thousands of people annually.
During 2008–2017 over 130 000 people in Finland have participated in the works of Meiju Niskala & People. Large-scale productions have combined various elements, such as radio shows, installations, design, performance, architecture, and graphic design.
In 2018–2019, the aim is to develop the international reach of Meiju Niskala & People. During the cultural export project, a long term international strategy is created, along with a network of international partners. A new work will be created, and existing works and concepts will be productized.
AMH freelance community: Developing Contexts
Arts Management Helsinki supports freelance artists by providing space, support, knowledge and personal service. The aim is to enable artists to take charge of their own careers with collegial support, specialized information, and custom-made administrative help. Arts Management Helsinki also provides such support services that are instrumental in working internationally as an artist, but not readily available for all freelancers due to legal, organisational or technical reasons (e.g. A1 certificates, coproduction agreements, permits, negotiations).
During 2018-2019 international production and exchange opportunities are developed with international partners.
Meiju Niskala & People: Leikki 2.0.
Photo: Terhi Korhonen
- Niskanen & Salo: www.niskanensalo.com
- Meiju Niskala & People: meijuniskalapeople.com
