Vesa-Pekka Rannikko

Visual artist Vesa-Pekka Rannikko is FCINY’s artist-in-residency for the month of June 2017. Working with multiple mediums, Rannikko eludes a particular category. The work often hybridizes distinct practices. Whether the work is perceived as an installation, sculpture, painting or happening depends on the viewpoint of the observer or the context of the venue.

In his video work Rannikko has explored fictional structures and their potential to be facilitators of authentic experiences. He often parallels the narrative fictive content of the works to experiential and perceivable imagery.

In his recent works Rannikko has studied how the tools of tourism have been used to build performative, experiential – and artificial – environments. This serves also as a starting point for his new video installation ‘Zoo to Zoo’. ‘Zoo to Zoo’ exploits New York’s fictional dimension; the city appears easily as a setting for performances and entertainment for visitors.  In ‘Zoo to Zoo’ Rannikko aims to approach this performativity through the zoos of New York. As built environments zoos appear as experiential but artificial miniature worlds.‘Zoo to Zoo’ puts so called ‘nature’ on display; the film addresses how 'the wild' is transformed into fiction and stories. 

During his residency Rannikko will be writing and shooting material for the film in the Bronx Zoo and Central Park Zoo. ‘Zoo to Zoo’ will be featured at Galleria Anhava in Helsinki in May 2018.

Vesa-Pekka Rannikko’s work can be found in public and private collections such as Kiasma, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki City Art Museum, Amos Anderson Art Museum, Arabia Museum and The Fine Arts Association of Finland in Helsinki. He has participated in numerous group exhibitions and has had solo shows in various galleries and museums in Nordic countries and the United States. His works are included in major public and private collections in Finland. Rannikko was awarded The State Prize for Visual Arts in 2015.