Shadows is a media installation including video projections, paper cutouts, Smart Textile collages and sounds. The space is structured around two screens and an interactive textile installation.

Abstract images inspired by water are projected on one screen, and in front of this screen there are partly transparent “shadow curtains” that are made of different materials along the themes. Some materials appear like almost invisible liquid plastic walls or metallic silk-screen. On the other screen the same images are presented as fragmented as the modern life is.

The theme originates from abstract images of water. Water is an elementary part of the Northern nature whether it is in frozen or liquid form. Motion of water has inspired the basic imagery of the whole installation. The Northern is not only a physical place of being but also an abstraction, characterized by rhythm, colours, shapes and sounds.

Into the game of shadows the shadows of the visitors will take part, too. On entering the dim room the visual presentation changes depending on the number of visitors. While walking in this exhibition the visitors cast their shadows into the space. The shadows and the images construct stories like in prehistoric caves, where people drew their experiences on the wall. So everyone in this “cave” are actively participating the installation.

Modern houses and public places are like prehistoric caves. Instead of charcoal and fire we use the media instruments to express our thoughts, fears and wishes. The interactive avatar in the middle of the space represents supra-normality expressed by media metaphors.

The space is seen as a musical instrument and sound contributes a tangible experience of the media space. Combination of abstract spatial sounds and musical elements creates an organic texture of continuous ambience and generates symbolic and poetic interpretations of the themes of the installation.

The general expression is minimalistic. Characteristic to that are simple repetitive forms and almost black-and-white colours. The recurring forms are represented in a way of the continuous circle of nature, which is interrupted by surprising and random impulses.

The project is a co-operation between the Finnish Professor Eija Timonen and the Austrian artist Bettina Schülke in collaboration with the Finnish sound artist Vesa Tuisku and media designer Santeri Happonen.

The opening is on May 5, 2011, at 6 pm at the Faculty of Art and Design. You are warmly welcome!

Artists

Eija Timonen, Ph.D (Arts) is Professor of Media Studies at the University of Lapland in Finland and Docent at the Aalto University’s School of Art and Design (School of Motion Picture, Television and Production Design) in Helsinki. Timonen is heading Finnish Academy’s research project “The Aristotle in Change” (AinC). She has written several children books, scripts for illustrated stories and miniature plays for television’s children programmes and CD-ROMs during the last twenty year. Her background is in cultural studies and in art and design in the area of audiovisual. Timonen, on the basis of her many roles as a writer, focuses on the question how to modify themes of traditional myths into modern literary works, audiovisual performances and interactive media.

Bettina Schülke (Mag.Art) is an Austrian artist, Ph.D Researcher and lecturer at the University of Lapland. Her research theme is “Transaction” (Phenomenology of Space and Time Dimensions). Schülke has exhibited her artworks widely at internationally prominent venues like the 2nd Thessaloniki Biennale (GR), Shunt Lounge, London (UK), De Winkelhaak Design Museum, Antwerp (BE), Kemi Art Museum, Lume Mediakeskus, Helsinki (FI), the MAK-nite (Museum of Applied Arts), Vienna (AT) and textile works at the Austrian Pavilion at the 8th International Architecture Biennale in Venice (IT). She has lectured at the University of Fine Arts in Vienna (AT), the University of Lapland and the Kemi/Tornio University of Applied Sciences (FI) and was co-organizer and participating artist at the prestigious e-MobiLArt project (European Mobile Lab for Interactive Artists).

Vesa Tuisku (MA) is a Finnish sound artist and lecturer in music technology at the University of Lapland. Tuisku has worked as a sound designer in many documentary film productions, media art projects and nature exhibitions, and composed music for television, theatre and multimedia. Tuisku is a multi-instrumentalist and has performed as a drummer and keyboard player widely in Finland and in many European countries.

Santeri Happonen (BA) studies audiovisual media culture at the University of Lapland and has mainly worked as a photographer and web designer. His photographs from the Midnight Sun Film Festival have been exhibited at Helsinki City Hall and at the University of Lapland, and are also presented in Peter von Bagh's book Sodankylä Forever.

For more information, please contact:
eija.timonen (at) ulapland.fi
bettina.schuelke (at) gmail.com