The set of works Windy Windows consists of photographs whose theme is built to combine the internal and the external – psychic conditions, as well as the environmental and cultural atmosphere we live in. Self-reflexivity, different manifestations of the self, the passage of time, detachment, globalization and dialogues between industrial and organic are present in the works.
When I moved from Oulu to Helsinki in 2008, I left behind the faith of my childhood and early youth, Conservative Laestadianism, which had previously defined my self-image. At first, the apartment in Helsinki was practically empty. I started collecting furniture and other household items as I collected new experiences – and with the help of my camera, new photographs based on them. Consequently, the apartment in Helsinki has served me as a sanctuary ever since – a place to reformulate myself. The entity of works contains numerous photographs that were taken there during the past 15 years.
Windy Windows photographs were created by being attuned and susceptible to the meaningfulness and pictorial potential of everyday moments. I have also brought different performative elements and staging solutions into the photographs. Photography serves as a form of existential meditation for me – inhaling and exhaling.
The making and presentation of the work has been supported by the Finnish Cultural Foundation and the Arts Promotion Center Finland (Taike).
Windy Windows exhibition in Photographic Gallery Hippolyte 2023.
Windy Windows exhibition in Photographic Gallery Hippolyte 2023.
Hidden (2018). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 82cm x 66cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
Wasted (2009). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 30cm x 20cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
Orange (2014). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 54cm x 37cm, ed. 2/5 + 2ap.
Branches of October (2016). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 51cm x 40cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
Morning (2016). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 45cm x 35cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
Windy Windows exhibition in Photographic Gallery Hippolyte 2023.
Me and Myself (2021). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 88cm x 71cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
Branch (2022). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 30cm x 20cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
Windy Windows exhibition in Photographic Gallery Hippolyte 2023.
Windy Windows exhibition in Photographic Gallery Hippolyte 2023.
Bread in a Glass (2015). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 30cm x 20cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
Braille for the Sun (2017). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 75cm x 53cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
The Glass is Full (2021). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 66cm x 51cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
Windy Windows exhibition in Photographic Gallery Hippolyte 2023.
Almost there (2015). Pigment print pasted on wall, 200cm x 133cm.
Windy Windows exhibition in Photographic Gallery Hippolyte 2023.
Hello Shadow (2021). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 81cm x 60cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
Hair Cut for Susanna (2012). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 40cm x 30cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
Tree of March (2016). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 60cm x 40cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
Windy Windows exhibition in Photographic Gallery Hippolyte 2023.
Windy Windows exhibition in Photographic Gallery Hippolyte 2023.
Through the Looking Glass (2021). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 80cm x 65cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
All in, All out (2011). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 47cm x 37cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
Windy Windows exhibition in Photographic Gallery Hippolyte 2023.
Forest Tells (2017). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 60cm x 43cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
The Forest and the Trees (2022). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 39cm x 28cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
Daily Tomato (2008). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 87cm x 62cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
Windy Windows exhibition in Photographic Gallery Hippolyte 2023.
Broken Eggs (2017). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 30cm x 21cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
Bright Rabbit (2021). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 70cm x 50cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
Windy Windows exhibition in Photographic Gallery Hippolyte 2023.
Windy Windows exhibition in Photographic Gallery Hippolyte 2023.
Hand (2019). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 90cm x 60cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
Dissolution (2019). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 90cm x 60cm, ed. 1/5 + 2ap.
The set of works Scope consists of photo-based works, a readymade-based installations, and a video essay.
The photo-based works hung on the walls are my photographs from 2015–2021, which, apart from two, I have distorted with the help of rudimentary artificial intelligence tool. I have selected some areas in my photos, after which the tool I use has filled those selected areas with new pixel combinations imitating or trying to mimic the “reality” of the photos – as if suggesting that the image in the selected area could transform into this instead of the camera´s suggestion. The works embody how artificial intelligence stumbles in creating impressions that humans could consider natural. The body image expressed in the works contains a lot of strange and blatant whining. It could be described as body surrealism. What might it look or feel like if mental health abnormalities cause challenges in the midst of the AI revolution?
The installation of readymade objects, brings together the technical communication devices or parts of them used by modern human, as well as organic elements such as pieces of wood. Using various methods, I have manipulated the technical equipment, altering their intended functions, usually to a seemingly broken state.
The title work of the exhibition is a video essay titled Scope (2020). It consists of programmed photographs, text, and music. At the beginning, “I” and “you” merge, after which the human mind seems to be in a somewhat fickle state. It flies impulsively to different countries and wanders about, surprising even itself, performing different actions and thoughts, and receiving and sending different messages.
Script, direction, photography, text and edit: Saku Soukka
Music: Tatu Rönkkö
Programming: Matti Hyvönen
Duration: 23 min. 45 sec.
The making and presentation of the work has been supported by The Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike), The Promotion Centre for Audiovisual Culture (AVEK), Frame Contemporary Art Finland and The Finnish Cultural Foundation.
Hand (2019) and Dissolution (2019) in Gallery Forum Box in Helsinki 2022.
Hand (2019). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 90cm x 60cm.
Dissolution (2019). Photograph, mounted and framed pigment print, 90cm x 60cm.
Scope exhibition in Gallery Forum Box in Helsinki 2022
Mirror Layers (2022) in Gallery Forum Box in Helsinki 2022.
Parts of smart phone, rose and tape
Scope exhibition in Gallery Forum Box in Helsinki 2022
Rita (2020). Manipulated photograph, pigment print, 90cm x 60cm.
Bruno (2020). Manipulated photograph, pigment print, 143cm x 96cm.
Alter Ego (2020). Manipulated photograph, pigment print, 75cm x 50cm.
Self-portrait (2020). Manipulated photograph, pigment print, 28,5cm x 19cm.
Self-portrait II (2020). Manipulated photograph, pigment print, 71,5cm x 47,5cm.
Outside (2020). Manipulated photograph, pigment print, 48cm x 32cm.
Video essay Scope (2020) in Gallery Forum Box in Helsinki 2022.
Video essay Scope (2020) in Gallery Forum Box in Helsinki 2022.
Mind Wave (2021) in Gallery Forum Box in Helsinki 2022.
Laptop, charging cable, travel charger, piece of wood, pieces of power lines and fishing line
Mind Wave (2021) in Gallery Forum Box in Helsinki 2022 (detail).
Mind Wave (2021) in Gallery Forum Box in Helsinki 2022 (detail).
Mind Wave (2021) in Gallery Forum Box in Helsinki 2022 (detail).
Mind Wave (2021) in Gallery Forum Box in Helsinki 2022 (detail).
Mind Wave (2021) in Gallery Forum Box in Helsinki 2022 (detail).
Scope exhibition in Gallery Forum Box in Helsinki 2022
Scope exhibition in Gallery Forum Box in Helsinki 2022
Still Life (Camping) (2020). Manipulated photograph, pigment print, 143cm x 96cm.
Erik (2020). Manipulated photograph, pigment print, 90cm x 60cm.
Wall (2020). Manipulated photograph, pigment print, 90cm x 60cm.
Broken Wish (2021). Manipulated photograph, pigment print, 75cm x 50cm.
Street View (2021). Manipulated photograph, pigment print, 120cm x 80cm.
Listen To Your Heart (2022) in Gallery Forum Box in Helsinki 2022.
Branches of birch, In-ear head phones, carrot and LCD display.
Listen To Your Heart (2022) Detail.
Listen To Your Heart (2022) in Gallery Forum Box in Helsinki 2022.
Branches of birch, In-ear head phones, carrot and LCD display.
Window In-between (2009-2018) is a video essay (63 min.) and collection of photograph works hanged on walls. The works visualize the relation in between human and urban environment – and the human relation to the self and other people – through a dialogue between inside and outside spaces. Separation, friendships, loveships, concept of home, advertising in public spaces and internet are present. The video essay is divided in four parts based on seasons. Photos, texts and sounds are wandering and drifting in different directions as the mind does. There is a glass-like surface between the inside and outside world, searching for its form. All the photographs of the whole are taken in Helsinki city.
Photographic Centre Peri (2018)
Empty billboard (2015). Lambda print and silisec mounting, 90 x 60cm, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
Photographic Centre Peri (2018)
Liquid power (2014). Lambda print and silisec mounting, 60 x 40cm, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
Paperipeili (2016) is a photo and poetry book which touch on and unites various themes such as traveling, seasons, climate change, light, darkness, religion, love and death in autofictive way.
Photographs and poems: Saku Soukka
Layout: Saku Soukka
Technical realization of layout: Janne Lehtinen
Publisher: Noxboox (2016)
Size: 17,3 cm x 24,5 cm, 160 pages (soft cover, bound)
Video work Stream (2014)brings up dialogue between exterior and interior as well as movement and stagnation. Sections related to the sea, airports and to the other public transports visualizes movement while on the other hand the protagonist is inside “doing nothing”. Video is often repeated mechanically and passing of time is disturbed.
Manuscripting, directing, filming, sound designing and editing: Saku Soukka
Senses of a Blind (2013) is photograph projection in which photos fades in and out and sometimes they are blinking faster. The work deals with thematics of seeing, hiding and appearance – and the relation in-between human and animal in dark landscapes and places. Sound consist of field recordings.
Script, direction, photography and editing: Saku Soukka
Plastic Past (2008-2013) is collection of photographic works which are dealing with the relation in-between human and plastic. In the set of works photographs are sometimes united with readymade objects and they get also sculptural forms.
Daily tomato I (2008-2012). Pigment print mounted on dipond and framed 87cm x 62cm, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
Daily tomato I (2008-2012). Pigment print mounted on dipond and framed 87cm x 62cm, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
Contrast, version III (2013) in The Finnish Museum of Photography 2013. Pigment print, birch branches, window frames, 150cm x 101cm.
Contrast, version III (2013), detail
Contrast, version III (2013), detail
In a plastic (2011) in the Kuvataideakatemia gallery 2012. Pigment print (280cm x 93cm) and string, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
In a plastic (2011). Pigment print (280cm x 93cm) and string, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
In a plastic (2011). Pigment print (280cm x 93cm) and string, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
In a plastic (2011), detail
In a plastic (2011), detail
Daily tomato II (2008-2012). Pigment print mounted on dipond, frames, plastic bag, 87cm x 62cm, ed. 2/5 + 2 ap.
Always (2009-2011) is collection of 12 photograph diptychs.
Sea divided and mountains splitted. Heart beat twice and life continued. Characters of scenes lived for the reflection – because of it – walked mirrors in their pockets. Sometimes views were divided into pieces and sometimes time stopped.
Departure (2009), diptych, Lambda print on aluminium. 119cm x 90cm, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
In-between (2009), diptych, Lambda print on aluminium. 120cm x 69cm, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
Catched (2009), diptych, Lambda print on aluminium. 174cm x 60cm, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
Towards (2009), diptych, Lambda print on aluminium. 179cm x 60cm, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
Kuvataideakatemia Gallery (2012)
White cover (2010), diptych, Pigment print on aluminium. 179cm x 59cm, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
Past clothes (2010), diptych, Pigment print on aluminium. 179cm x 59cm, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
Wave (2010), diptych, Pigment print on aluminium. 183cm x 81cm, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
Kuvataideakatemia Gallery (2012)
Both sides (2011), diptych, Pigment print on dipond. 180cm x 60cm, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
Spring (2011), diptych, pigment print on dipond. 178cm x 60cm, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
Kuvataideakatemia gallery (2012)
Shadow (2011), diptych, pigment print on dipond. 179cm x 60cm, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
Visible (2011), diptych, pigment print on dipond. 178cm x 60cm, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
Future will be old (2011), diptych, pigment print on dipond. 179cm x 60cm, ed. 1/5 + 2 ap.
