Project

Beyond the Pleasure Principle

Beyond the Pleasure Principle publication by FCINY (editor Ilari Laamanen, designer Johanna Lundberg)

Edited by Ilari Laamanen, designed by Johanna Lundberg

Artworks by: Tyler Adams, John Divola, Estelle Hanania, Camille Henrot, Nicolai Howalt, Jouko Lehtola, Maija Luutonen, Takeshi Murata, Armi Ratia, Iiu Susiraja, Kohei Yoshiyuki

Texts by: Mark Johnstone, Reba Maybury, Aaron Schuster

 

According to Sigmund Freud, the pleasure principle refers to the instinctual seeking of pleasure and avoiding pain in order to satisfy biological and psychological needs. Pleasure principle is oftentimes considered to be the strongest impulse guiding individual’s life. In his later writings, Sigmund Freud refers to the “compulsion to repeat”, and declares that it might well be powerful enough to disregard the pleasure principle.

This publication taps into this tension. The underlying motive isto create a scenario that deals as much with our complex relationship with nature and habitat as it does with transformation and letting go. An emphasis is put on the physical shared environment, but the tone is psychologically charged. 

Beyond the Pleasure Principle thrives from similar thematic framework as FCINY’s previous publication The Powers That Be that used the knowledge of the body and manifestations of physical energy as its point of departure. But in this case the physical and psychological energies and tensions can be considered to be intertwined, and analyzed through artistic gestures and three key themes: ritual, retrograde and repetition.

Beyond the Pleasure Principle was produced on the occasion of two exhibitions, The Pleasure Principle at Sinne in Helsinki (June 4–July 31, 2016) and The Limits of Control at Station Independent Projects in New York City (August 13–September 4, 2016). The Pleasure Principle features works by John Divola, Camille Henrot, Maija Luutonen and Armi Ratia. The Limits of Control features works by Tyler Adams, Estelle Hanania, Nicolai Howalt, Jouko Lehtola, Takeshi Murata, Iiu Susiraja and Kohei Yoshiyuki. The exhibitions are curated by Ilari Laamanen and produced by the Finnish Cultural Institute in New York in collaboration with Sinne and Station Independent Projects.

The Pleasure Principle, The Limits of Control and Beyond the Pleasure Principle were made possible through generous support by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland. The Limits of Control was also supported by Frame Visual Art Finland. Thank you: Bruce Silverstein Gallery, New York; Galerie Kamel Mennour, Paris; Gallery Luisotti, Los Angeles; Laura Bartlett Gallery, London; Metro Pictures, New York; Yossi Milo Gallery, New York.

John Divola, Dark Star B, 2008. Courtesy the artist. Beyond the Pleasure Principle publication by FCINY.

Kohei Yoshiyuki, from the series The Park, 1973. Copyright Kohei Yoshiyuki, Courtesy Yossi Milo Gallery, New York. Beyond the Pleasure Principle publication by FCINY. 

Estelle Hanania, from the series Parking Lot Hydra, 2009. Courtesy the artist. Beyond the Pleasure Principle publication by FCINY.

Left page: Jouko Lehtola, Tommi, 1999, from the series Marked Skin. Courtesy Jouko Lehtola Foundation. Right page: excerpt from Reba Maybury's article The Tension and Turmoil of Jouko Lehtola, 2016. Courtesy the writer. Beyond the Pleasure Principle publication by FCINY.

Aaron Schuster, End-Pleasure, 2016. Courtesy the writer. Beyond the Pleasure Principle publication by FCINY. 

Armi Ratia, The Depths of the Earth, 1934. Courtesy Suomen Käsityön Ystävät. Beyond the Pleasure Principle publication by FCINY.

Nicolai Howalt, from the series Car Crash Studies, 2009. Courtesy Bruce Silverstein Gallery, New York and the artist. Beyond the Pleasure Principle publication by FCINY.

Iiu Susiraja, Hundred Grams 2, 2012. Iiu Susiraja, Sack Feet, 2010. Courtesy the artist. Beyond the Pleasure Principle publication by FCINY. 

Camille Henrot, The Strife of Love in a Dream, 2012, video. Courtesy the artist, kamel mennour, Paris and Metro Pictures, New York. Beyond the Pleasure Principle publication by FCINY.

Beyond the Pleasure Principle publication by FCINY (editor Ilari Laamanen, designer Johanna Lundberg)

http://www.fciny.org/program/the-limits-of-control
http://www.fciny.org/program/the-pleasure-principle
http://www.fciny.org/program/the-powers-that-be-publication-1