A cup of tea, a frozen cemetery, concentrated preparations before a reindeer racing, a lonely wooden toilet in a frosty landscape, hard physical labour in the reindeer coral, colourful northern lights, cute reindeer faces and brought smiles – every image is like a unique window enabling to catch a glimpse of Kola-Penisulan life. Opening ceremony of Christian Schmetz's exhibition "Arctic Infection" took place at the Faculty of Art and Design on Monday, January 30th.
"All windows together provide a wider view on my experiences in the area, reflecting how deeper meanings were unfolded and will make you understand how I developed my Arctic Infection to the fullest,"Schmetz says.
Christian Schmetz tells that exhibition feels like a completing circle.
"I can still remember very vividly how I stum-bled into Lovozero five
years ago for the first time, not speaking any Russian and not even
being able to find the small hotel that was booked for me beforehand.
Now, three trips later and in preparation for my first summer visit,
thinking about this – maybe not most beautiful settlement – gives me
homely feelings and memories of warm smiles and the ever present cup of
tea – feelings and memories I would like to share with you."
"When telling people about my trips to the region I am often confronted with a lot of biased views. If people back home do know where Kola-Peninsula is to be found on the globe, many still describe images of poor people living in tents, eating snow," Schmetz says.
Schmetz are inviting all of us to explore this fascinating place through pictures, hopefully with an open mind and from a different perspective.
"In
this respect the exhibition is not only a showcase of some experiences. It also
gives me the opportunity to say 'Thank You' for all the great adventures and
valuable encounters he had. And for the brave ones: Go and visit the area, get
your cup of tea and see it for yourself! Dobro pozhalovat' na Kolskiy
poluostrov!" Schmetz says.
Christian Schmetz
Arctic Infection
Galleria Seinä, F-talo, Taiteiden tiedekunta, Lapin yliopisto
31.1. – 16.2.2017
opening ceremony: monday 30th January at 18:00.
Ulapland/Communications/J-EK