Artist Pilvi Takala (b. 1980) has received Finnish State Award for arts. The 15 000 euro State Awards are conferred in recognition of merits during the past three years in arts or a long career in art. Takala has studied at the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts and Glasgow School of Art in Scotland. She has worked with video works which document experimental performances that challenge rules, customs and behavior within particular communities of people. Takala also received the 2013 Emdash Award.
This year, media art was also recognised. The State Award for media art was granted to filmmaker and artist Mika Taanila (b. 1965) who examines in his art the utopias of yesterday and today. The Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma exhibits Taanila’s key works from the past decade until 2 March 2014.
State Award for photography was granted to photographer Raakel Kuukka (b.1955).
There are State Awards in film, dance, architecture, literature, plastic arts, drama, music, design and photography. The recipients are nominated by the national art council concerned.