Exhibit at Kemper museum sheds light on Finnish artists
Because an expanse of Finland lies north of the Arctic Circle, the sun never sets for 60 days in the summer. Likewise, it never rises for 60 days in the winter.
Understandably, this surreal phenomenon has quite an effect on the population.
“The basic thing in the midsummer is that when people are sitting and chatting outdoors they don’t even notice the night and, oops, accidentally they’ve been sitting there until the morning because of the light being so strong,” says Helsinki native Anna Tuori. “But in the winter, (we) just like to sleep.”
Tuori is one of 13 Finnish artists who contribute works to “Dark Days, Bright Nights: Contemporary Paintings From Finland,” the new exhibition at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. “Dark Days” showcases 42 pieces, which include paintings, sculptures and projected video installations.
“In my painting, light and darkness are not divided,” says Tuori, who will join fellow artists Vesa-Pekka Rannikko and father/daughter Jarmo and Rauha Mäkilä to attend the opening and exhibition-related events. “Darkness can be painted with light colors and the other way around. The themes of my work are often dealing with the loss of a feeling of security and the fantasy of integrity.”
Tuori’s oil paintings were the first Finnish creations that caught the attention of Kemper executive director Barbara O’Brien. She was weaving through a maze of galleries at the Armory Show, an international fair in New York City, when she stumbled upon the artist’s work.
“Like tableaux in a snow globe, Tuori’s painted narratives seemed to exist between waking and dreaming,” O’Brien says.
During the next three years, O’Brien made treks to Finland to further study the Nordic art scene.
“I had the great privilege of being invited into the studios of nearly every artist and selected each work of art while standing in front of the paintings,” says O’Brien, who curated “Dark Days.”
The exhibition includes the unsettling political work of Jarmo Mäkilä, the “classical presentation of the human figure meets modern tenets of abstraction” found in pieces by Reima Nevalainen and the graffiti, tattoos and hardcore punk influences revealed by Jani Hanninen.
O’Brien says the work that might most surprise visitors is Rannikko’s “Canary,” inspired by early 20th century scientists who attempted to create the first genetically modified bird: a red canary. Tucked into the corner of the gallery are overlapping, translucent projections of these birds culled from breeder websites. Viewers are sequestered by mountain climbing ropes imbedded in the walls with carabiner loops.
Although O’Brien has visited the artists at their home galleries in Finland, few of the collaborating artists have been to Kansas City. Such is the case with Mari Rantanen. She splits her time between Finland, Sweden and New York, where she originally traveled on a Fulbright scholarship in 1982.
“For me light is the same as color, and it is definitely one of the central themes in my work,” says Rantanen, whose paintings were displayed locally in 1987 at a Kansas City Art Institute show called “Drawn Out.”
“Painting is a space for emotions. Although my work is based on geometrical/abstract forms, there is always a narrative content. I am a storyteller.”
Rantanen grew up in the southern Finnish town of Espoo (near Helsinki), so she never experienced the total darkness of the polar night.
“It sure was dark enough … and it is simply depressing,” she says. “But the summer nights, I just love them: the energy, the light changing color, the atmosphere, reading a book in the middle of the night without having the lights on or jumping into the lake swimming.”
The artists hope the exhibition can introduce aspects of their culture to Americans, who are probably unfamiliar with the Scandinavian country. Any chance to make a connection is appreciated since it’s not always available.
“We don’t have a tradition of small talk,” Tuori says. “Many people are just quiet if they have nothing special to say. In Finland that is super normal.”
No worries. “Dark Days, Bright Nights” will let this captivating artwork speak for itself.
Jon Niccum is a filmmaker, freelance writer and author of “The Worst Gig: From Psycho Fans to Stage Riots, Famous Musicians Tell All.”
First Friday gallery listings
Belger Arts Center
What: “People in the Belger Collection” (through Oct. 3)
Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. First Fridays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
Info: 2100 Walnut. redstarstudios.org, 816-474-7316
Belger Crane Yard Studios
What: “Orchards” by Christopher Kurtz and “Schema: A Journey Through Traditional Patterns and Imagery” by Melanie Sherman. First Friday opening reception, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 2; both run through Jan. 23. Also, “Peregrine Honig: Suites” (through Dec. 19)
Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. First Fridays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
Info: 2011 Tracy. redstarstudios.org, 816-474-7316
Boveri Realty Group Art Space
What: Art show benefiting Mission Project 2. 5-9 p.m. Oct. 2
Info: 1819 Wyandotte. missionproject2.org
Blue Gallery
What: “Blankets + Brambles” by Kelly Porter. Preview, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 1; First Friday opening reception, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 2; runs through Oct. 31
Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. First Fridays, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
Info: 118 Southwest Blvd. bluegalleryonline.com, 816-527-0823
Buttonwood Art Space
What: “Visions of the Flint Hills.” First Friday opening reception, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 2; runs through Nov. 27
Gallery hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
Info: 3013 Main. buttonwoodartspace.com, 816-285-9040
Garcia Squared Contemporary
What: “Flora Veil of the Mulberry Moth” by Rodolfo Marrom III. Opens First Friday Oct. 2; runs through Dec. 31
Info: 115 W. 18th. garciasquared.com, 816-916-4266
H&R Block lobby
What: Work from local artists Lonnie Powell, Lisa Grossman, Matt Kirby and Stretch, as well as works by Richard Raney, Kim Casebeer, Leslie Reuther, and Dave and Arlie Regier. 5-8 p.m. Friday
Info: One H&R Block Way. Free parking with H&R Block validation at KC Live garage on 13th between Grand and Walnut.
Hilliard Gallery
What: “Unseen Forces” by Ron Fondaw. First Friday opening reception, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 2; runs through Nov. 21. Also, “A Cross Between Rube Goldberg and John Chamberlain” by Guinotte Wise (through Oct. 26)
Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, noon-4 p.m. Saturday
Info: 1820 McGee. hilliardgallery.com, 816-561-2956
Jones Gallery
What: “Expressions” art exhibition featuring works by people with disabilities. First Friday show, 5-9 p.m. Oct. 2
Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 7-10 p.m. Friday
Info: 1717 Walnut. 816-421-2111
The Late Show Gallery
What: Russell Easterwood and Laura Nugent. First Friday opening reception, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 2; runs through Oct. 31
Gallery hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday
Info: 1600 Cherry. 816-516-6749
Lawrence Lithography Workshop
What: Andrzej Zielinski, Zigmunds Priede and Roger Shimomura. First Friday opening reception, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 2; artists reception, 2-5 p.m. Oct. 10; runs through Nov. 24
Info: 2011 Tracy. lawrencelitho.com, 816-471-4848
Leedy-Voulkos Art Center
What: “Recent Allegories and Nudes” by Jessie Fisher (through Nov. 28); “Paintings: 2005-2015” by Scott Seebart (through Nov. 28); “Recent Figure Paintings” by Richard Mattsson (through Dec. 26). Also “Me, Myself and I: Self-Portraits” by Janice Atkins (through Oct. 31)
Gallery hours: 6-9 p.m. First Fridays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
Info: 2012 Baltimore. leedy-voulkos.com, 816-474-1919
Mattie Rhodes Art Gallery
What: “Dia de los Muertos.” First Friday opening reception, 6-10 p.m. Oct. 2; runs through Nov. 14
Gallery hours: Noon-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
Info: 919 W. 17th. mattierhodes.org, 816-581-5631
Reactor Design Studio
What: “Strings & Keys: Showcase of B. Hanson Instrument & Image Design.” First Friday show, 5-9 p.m. Oct. 2
Info: 1817 Grand. yourreactor.com, 816-841-3682
Snapshot Gallery
What: “Eggs and Nests” by Rosamond Purcell and “Harvest” by Larry Gawel; both run through Nov. 6
Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. First Friday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday
Info: 1724 Main. snapshotgallerykc.com, 913-515-9305
Snow & Co.
What: “Picture a World Without Poverty” by David Moody. First Friday opening, Oct. 2; runs through October
Info: 1815 Wyandotte. outreach-international.org
Studios Inc. Exhibition Space
What: “Site Unseen: Architectural Installations” by Jill Downen. First Friday reception, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 2; runs through Oct. 16
Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, noon-4 p.m. Saturday
Info: 1708 Campbell. thestudiosinc.org, 816-994-7134
Todd Weiner Gallery
What: “Primary Matters” by Don Kottmann. First Friday opening reception, 5-9 p.m. Oct. 2; runs through Oct. 25
Gallery hours: 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday
Info: 115 W. 18th. toddweinergallery.com, 816-984-8538
Weinberger Fine Art
What: “Ebb & Flow” by Ruth Borum-Loveland and Debbie Barrett-Jones. First Friday reception, 5-9 p.m. Oct. 2; runs through Oct. 30
Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday
Info: 114 Southwest Blvd. weinbergerfineart.com, 816-301-4428
Compiled by Dan Kelly, dkelly@kcstar.com
On exhibit
“Dark Days, Bright Nights: Contemporary Paintings From Finland” by Jani Hänninen, Heikki Marila, Marika Mäkelä, Jarmo Mäkilä, Rauha Mäkilä, Reima Nevalainen, Leena Nio, Vesa-Pekka Rannikko, Mari Rantanen, Mari Sunna, Nanna Susi, Sirpa Särkijärvi and Anna Tuori runs through Feb. 21 at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, 4420 Warwick Blvd. The Kemper will host an opening reception at 5 p.m. Friday, with an artists panel to follow. The exhibit is free. More info at KemperArt.org.
This story was originally published September 30, 2015 at 4:00 AM with the headline "Exhibit at Kemper museum sheds light on Finnish artists."