Zero Waste Bistro, commissioned by FCINY for NYCxDESIGN and curated by Linda Bergroth and Harri Koskinen, was extremely well-received by local and international media and audiences. The bespoke communal table and table set is made of Durat Palace an… — *Zero Waste Bistro*, commissioned by FCINY for NYCxDESIGN and curated by Linda Bergroth and Harri Koskinen, was extremely well-received by local and international media and audiences. The bespoke communal table and table set is made of Durat Palace and designed by Linda Bergroth. The space, designed by Bergroth, features Alvar Aalto’s classic Artek stools and pendants. The architecture is made of ReWall Naked Board, a material made 100% from tetrapak waste. The Durat composite is made of 30% post-industrial materials and natural pigments and is 100% recyclable. Image: Nicholas Calcott.

This year FCINY highlighted the importance of circular economy and sustainability, switched the perspective to outer space and approached the challenge of deconstructing cultural binaries. We also had the pleasure to work with an inspiring group of visual arts professionals through our residency, fellowship and mentoring programs in New York and Helsinki.

PROJECTS: FOCUS ON SOCIETAL ISSUES

For New York's design week, NYCxDESIGN in May 2018, the FCINY invited chefs from the Helsinki-based Restaurant Nolla to bring their zero waste food philosophy to New York. Co-curated by Harri Koskinen and Linda Bergroth, the temporary bistro was built on themes of circular economy, new material innovations and sustainable design. The space, designed by Linda Bergroth was built entirely of recycled and recyclable materials, using sustainable design pieces – iconic Finnish furniture and tableware that last from generation to generation. The four-day program of Zero Waste Bistro featured tasting sessions for breakfast, brunch and lunch, as well as daily talks and workshops on the themes of zero waste and sustainability.

Artist Ryan Hammond and political theorist Heath Fogg Davis discussed the importance of renegotiating gender binaries as part of the Beyond Binaries symposium at the ISCP - International Studio and Curatorial Program in January 2018. — Artist Ryan Hammond and political theorist Heath Fogg Davis discussed the importance of renegotiating gender binaries as part of the *Beyond Binaries* symposium at the ISCP - International Studio and Curatorial Program in January 2018.

In January we collaborated with artists Terike Haapoja and Ryan Hammond, and The International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) to present Beyond Binaries: Towards New Constructs of Personhood and Gender, a symposium that approached the challenge of deconstructing two central binaries of Western culture: binary gender and the human-animal divide. The one-day event included presentations by Haapoja, Hammond, Heath Fogg Davis, and Syl Ko, alongside a genetic modification workshop led by Ryan Hammond.

MOBIUS: INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATIONS

The Optics of Space, a project by MOBIUS fellow Aily Nash, presented newly commissioned moving image works by Lucy Raven and James N. Kienitz Wilkins produced for the planetarium format. The world premiere of the works was organized at the Heureka Science Center in Vantaa, Finland in August 2018. The project was co-commissioned by The Finnish Cultural Institute in New York’s MOBIUS Fellowship Program and PUBLICS.

The Optics of Space, a MOBIUS project by New York artists James N. Kienitz Wilkins and Lucy Raven, and curator Aily Nash was premiered in the planetarium of Heureka - the Finnish Science Center in August 2018. Image: Leena Ylä-Lyly. — *The Optics of Space*, a MOBIUS project by New York artists James N. Kienitz Wilkins and Lucy Raven, and curator Aily Nash was premiered in the planetarium of Heureka - the Finnish Science Center in August 2018. Image: Leena Ylä-Lyly.

We also initiated new MOBIUS collaborations between independent curator Amanda Schmitt and Helsinki Contemporary; as well as Caitlin Murray, the Director of Marfa Programs at Judd Foundation, with Archinfo Finland. Schmitt organized a lecture and screening around Paul Ryan’s work in Helsinki in February, while Murray made her first research trip to Finland to explore Alvar Aalto’s work. MOBIUS fellows Shannon Mattern and Jussi Parikka engaged in conversation with artists Samir Bhowmik, Tuomas A. Laitinen and Jenna Sutela at PUBLICS in June. The Library’s Other Intelligences, curated by Mattern and Parikka, will open at Helsinki’s new Central Library Oodi in January 2019. Schmitt’s and Murray’s MOBIUS projects will also manifest in Helsinki and New York next year.

Artist Jenna Sutela discussed her recent projects as part of the Alternative AI’s event, with MOBIUS Fellows Jussi Parikka and Shannon Mattern at the PUBLICS in Helsinki in May 2018. — Artist Jenna Sutela discussed her recent projects as part of the *Alternative AI’*s event, with MOBIUS Fellows Jussi Parikka and Shannon Mattern at the PUBLICS in Helsinki in May 2018.

Iiu Susiraja’s exhibition what am i? was on view at the Ghebaly Gallery in Los Angeles, May 12 – June 16. The exhibition, organized by Mike Egan, marked as Susiraja’s second solo presentation in the United States, and coincided with her 6-month resi… — Iiu Susiraja’s exhibition *what am i?* was on view at the Ghebaly Gallery in Los Angeles, May 12 – June 16. The exhibition, organized by Mike Egan, marked as Susiraja’s second solo presentation in the United States, and coincided with her 6-month residency at the ISCP. Image: Iiu Susiraja, No, 2018, courtesy the artist.

RESIDENCIES: research, projects and networking

FCINY was founded in 1990 to enable residencies for Finnish visual artists, designers, and architects in New York City. Throughout the years over 700 professionals have participated in the program. The nature of each residency period is customized: some of the architects, designers, and artists focus on cultivating their practice through research and networking, while others have more production-based approach.

This year we worked together with several residents and organizations on joint projects, such as TRIP, a multi-sensory installation by Laura Väinölä and Ezra Gould presented at the Triangle Arts Association in June; and Designing Futures, a symposium with Liam Young, Catherine Pease, Eero Lundén, which was part of architect-in-residence Eva Geitel’s research project on the future role of the architect.

During their 2-month residency, designer Laura Väinölä and film maker-composer Ezra Gould made a site-specific installation dealing with the complex relationship of nature and culture. The installation was on view at Triangle Arts Association in Jun… — During their 2-month residency, designer Laura Väinölä and film maker-composer Ezra Gould made a site-specific installation dealing with the complex relationship of nature and culture. The installation was on view at Triangle Arts Association in June 2018.

We also continued to collaborate with other residency organizations in New York: artists Eero Yli-Vakkuri and Iiu Susiraja worked at the ISCP – International Studio and Curatorial Program for six months, and Niko Luoma for two months as the first artist in the new alumni residency with the support by Alfred Kordelin Foundation. As part of the ongoing collaboration with the ISCP and Kordelin Foundation, we also joined forces with Frame Contemporary Art Finland to start a curatorial residency. The first Finnish curator to participate in the program was Elina Suoyrjö.

Antti Nyyssölä and Tuula Anttonen were granted with three-month residency periods at the Triangle Arts Association in Dumbo, Brooklyn. These residencies were supported by the Finnish Cultural Foundation.

Inspiring encounters at Design Criticism Intensives

what we write when we write about design, a new mentoring program for visual arts writers kicked off in New York in May in conjunction with the annual NYCxDESIGN, followed by a second weeklong intensive in Helsinki in September. The professional development intensives included rich and thought-provoking programs of behind-the-scenes visits and lively discussions. The Chief Mentor of the program in New York was Allison Arieff and the Chief Mentor in Helsinki was Katja Lindroos. The mentoring program is organized by the FCINY and funded by the Finnish Cultural Foundation.

Participants of what we write when we write about design at Löyly Helsinki with critic and curator Daniel Golling from Stockholm, and mentor Katja Lindroos. Top row from left tor right: Eeva Rönkä, Golling, Ville Tikka. Bottom row: Tiffany Lambert, … — Participants of *what we write when we write about design* at Löyly Helsinki with critic and curator Daniel Golling from Stockholm, and mentor Katja Lindroos. Top row from left tor right: Eeva Rönkä, Golling, Ville Tikka. Bottom row: Tiffany Lambert, Aileen Kwun, Lindroos, Kate Wagner. (Hannu Pöppönen was busy elsewhwere.)

COMMUNICATIONS: Alumni Spotlight & Creative Conversations

Liisa Jokinen continued to conduct the Creative Conversations interviews in 2018. The series sheds light on the lives of New York-based Finnish visual arts professionals and features newyorkers who have passion for Finnish art, design, and architecture. Interviewees include Cara McCarty, the Director of Curatorial at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum and electronic musician Johannes Auvinen who organized two public events in respect of the late Mika Vainio. We also launched a new series highlighting recent projects of our residency and fellowship program alumni: the first interviewees were architect Asmo Jaaksi and curator Jenni Nurmenniemi.

The Finnish Cultural Institute in New York wants to warmly thank all our supporters, collaborators, partners, and audiences for a wonderful year – we are looking forward to seeing you next year!

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Looking Back: 2018