The theme of the ARS17 exhibition is the global digital revolution, whose impacts extend all the way from culture and the economy to human identity and behaviour. The exhibition in Kiasma, Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki brings together 35 artists from 13 countries representing three generations, from the ‘60s to the ‘80s.
Opening on Friday 31 March, the exhibition will showcase artists of the new millennium and offer a fresh approach to contemporary art with a web extension expanding the viewing experience into the online realm. For today’s artists, “embracing the future” is not about chasing trends, but more about making choices that will affect tomorrow. One of the core goals of ARS17 is to deepen our critical self-understanding of digital culture in relation to how art is presented, and also to foster an inter-disciplinary approach in bringing art into a wider arena of debate on our digital future.
While celebrating the centenary of Finland’s independence in 2017, as part of the official “Finland 100 Years” programme, ARS17 also emphasises the importance of looking forward, focusing on the shaping of the next 100 years. ARS17 includes over 50 artists in three programmes: ARS17 – the main exhibition; ARS17 + Online Art – a newly launched platform to present works online, to extend the experience beyond the museum walls; and ARS17 at Kiasma Theatre – a new programme exploring the issues of digital transformation on the present and future of live art, including guest performances and four Finnish premieres.
The ARS exhibitions are a series of major surveys of international contemporary art, organised since 1961. In total, the exhibitions have had more than half a million visitors, presenting work by about 600 artists or groups. ARS17 is the ninth exhibition in the series, and the fourth to be held in Kiasma.
Artists of the ARS17 exhibition are Ed Atkins (1982, Great Britain), Andrey Bogush (1987, Russia), Nina Canell (1979, Sweden), Cécile B. Evans (1983, USA), Lizzie Fitch & Ryan Trecartin (1981, USA & 1981, USA), Melanie Gilligan (1979, Canada), Juha van Ingen (1963, Finland), Yung Jake (2011, Internet), Ilja Karilampi (1983, Sweden), Nandita Kumar (1981, Mauritius), Tuomas A. Laitinen (1976, Finland), LaBeouf, Rönkkö & Turner: Shia LaBeouf (1986, USA), Nastja Säde Rönkkö (1985, Finland), Luke Turner (1982, Great Britain), Reija Meriläinen (1987, Finland), Katja Novitskova (1984, Estonia), Jaakko Pallasvuo (1987, Finland), Aude Pariset (1983, France), Jon Rafman (1981, Canada), Charles Richardson (1979, Great Britain), Rachel Rossin (1987, USA), Jacolby Satterwhite (1986, USA), Hito Steyerl (1966, Germany), Anna Uddenberg (1982, Sweden), Julia Varela (1986, Spain), Artie Vierkant (1986, USA)
ARS17+ Online Art artists: David Blandy (1976, Great Britain), Ed Fornieles (1983, Great Britain), Juha van Ingen (1963, Finland), Rachel Maclean (1987, Great Britain), Florian Meisenberg (1980, Germany), Reija Meriläinen (1987, Finland), Pink Twins Juha Vehviläinen & Vesa Vehviläinen (1978 & 1974, Finland), Angelo Plessas (1974, Greece), Jon Rafman (1981, Canada), Tuomo Rainio (1983, Finland), Charles Richardson (1979, Great Britain), Jarkko Räsänen (1984, Finland), Axel Straschnoy (1978, Argentina), Jenna Sutela (1983, Finland), Amalia Ulman (1989, Argentina).
Coming up in Kiasma on Saturday 1 April:
1–3 pm
Panel discussion Would you be an artist without internet?
moderated by Leevi Haapala, Museum Director of Kiasma
Ed Atkins (UK)
Ilja Karilampi (SE)
Nastja Säde Rönkkö (FIN)
Artie Vierkant (US)
Free entry.
5–6 pm
Ed Atkins live performance
ARS17 artist Ed Atkinsin performs live with Kallion Kantaattikuoro.
Tickets 15/12e (admission to the exhibition included).