Isaac Julien WESTERN UNION: Small Boats (2007) in Logomo 17.6.–18.12.

Isaac Julien’s Work in Turku Is Part of ARS 11

Western Union: Small Boats by the world-renowned British artist Isaac Julien will be on exhibit in the Logomo venue in Turku from 17 June to 18 December as part of the ARS 11 exhibition in Kiasma.

Isaac Julien’s Western Union: Small Boats (2007) explores the issue of migration and North African illegal immigrants in the Mediterranean region. According to Julien, “Many people who seek a better life on their way to Sicily end up having that better life in heaven, so to speak.” Immigration and immigrant identity have become part of everyday life for many Africans, but the political situation in North Africa last spring makes the theme of Julien’s piece exceptionally topical.

The work depicts the effects of human trauma from the perspectives of the survivors as well as architecture, buildings and monuments. Julien works with histories and memories associated with places like Palazzo Gangi in Palermo, Scala dei Turchi in Agricento. According to the artist, Palazzo Gangi contains Islamic features, which are highlighted in a dance choreographed for the piece by Russell Maliphant. The space works as physical evidence of its own history, and the dancer’s figure can be used to reveal new tensions. In this way, Julien interrogates the meaning of belonging or not belonging to a space.

Acquired to the Kiasma collection in 2010, the piece is now presented for the first time. It is the third part of the film installation trilogy, the two other parts of which are True North (2004) and Fantôme Afrique (2005).

Isaac Julien (b. 1960 in London) is a London-based video artist and film director. He was awarded the Semaine de la Critique prize at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival for his work Young Soul Rebels. Julien was also nominated for the Turner Prize in 2001, and in 2003 he won the main prize at the KunstFilmBiennale in Cologne. His work has been exhibited at Tate Modern in London, Kassel Dokumenta, Centre Pompidou in Paris and Moderna Museet in Stockholm.

ARS 11 Takes a Dive into Africa

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ARS exhibition series, ARS 11 examines Africa in contemporary art. Deconstructing conventional stereotypes, it highlights the status of Africa as a source of influences. The exhibition showcases themes involving immigration, environmental issues, urban lifestyles and the presence of the past in the present. The exhibition will be on show in Kiasma until 27 November 2011.

Media images: www.kiasma.fi/press