Water – Sense and Sensation exhibition is open

The main exhibition of the summer season at Wäinö Aaltonen Museum is entitled Water – Sense and Sensation. A part of the European Capital of Culture 2011 programme, the exhibition explores the sensory aspects of water: what does it feel, sound, look and smell like? With focus on photography and video art, the exhibition features 32 works of contemporary artists from Finland, Sweden and Estonia.

The interpretation and approach in the exhibited works reflect on the complex symbolical meanings and visual diversity of water. The essence and constant movement of water provide challenging and fascinating subjects for the artist. Water symbolises life before birth; vitality and purity – yet with its depth and power, it can also be a threat. On the other hand, water is a part of the mundane. We all have a multitude of different experiences related to water, many of which provide powerful sensory associations. When we swim or bathe, we are completely surrounded by water; we become one with it.

The exhibited works provide pure visual reminiscences of the dynamic nature of water, exploration into its mystical dimensions, and environmental political statements related to clean water. Just as water is an integral part of life, polluted water is integrally linked to deteriorated conditions of life. The experiential side of water points back to its symbolic meanings: fresh, clear water purifies and promotes life, while foul and cloudy polluted water spreads disease and kills. The exhibition also examines the different states of water: what does snow feel like on bare skin? What about sleet in the face, or dipping your toes in cool lake water?

The featured artists are: Vesa Aaltonen, Erika Adamsson, Kristoffer Albrecht, Stefan Bremer , Marcus Eek (Swe), Päivi Eronen, Tina Eskilsson (Swe), Vesa Hannuksela, Eero Hiironen, Markus Henttonen, Susanna Iivanainen, Villu Jaanisoo, Hannu Karjalainen, Ritva Kovalainen, Mikko Kuorinki, Heli Kurunsaari, Laura Kärki, Anti Laitinen, Harri Larjosto, Peeter Laurits (Est), Renja Leino, Susanna Majuri, Jukka Male, Arno Rafael Minkkinen, Marge Monko (Est), Tuula Närhinen, Marja Pirilä, Lovisa Ringborg (Swe), Jaanus Samma (Est), Jari Silomäki, Tiina Vainio and Oliver Whitehead.