News

Summer 2016 Program

John Divola, from the series "Vandalism", 1973-75. Archivally processed B&W photograph. Courtesy the artist. 

This summer FCINY focuses on the tensions and conflicts of human mind. The curated program consists of two psychologically charged exhibitions The Pleasure Principle and The Limits of Control accompanied by a publication that features the works of the exhibiting artists and furthermore explores the thematics through analytical articles. 

Maija Luutonen, Return, 2014. Acrylic on paper. Courtesy the artist. 

The Pleasure Principle an exhibition opening at Sinne in Helsinki on June 2 reinterprets Sigmund Freud’s concept of seeking psychologically and physically pleasant experiences. The exhibition features works by John Divola, Camille Henrot, Maija Luutonen and Armi Ratia. The pleasure principle (German: *Lustprinzip) is the instinctual seeking of pleasure and avoiding of pain in order to satisfy biological and psychological needs and is possibly 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. The exhibition The Pleasure Principle aims on tapping into this tension. The underlying motive is to create a scenario that deals as much with our complex relationship with nature and habitat as it does with transformation and letting go.  

Armi Ratia, "The Depths of the Earth", 1934. Rya rug.

Estelle Hanania, from the series "Parking Lot Hydra", 2009. C-print. Courtesy the artist.

The Limits of Control opens at the Station Independent Projects in New York on August 12 and presents works by Tyler Adams, Estelle Hanania, Nicolai Howalt, Jouko Lehtola, Takeshi Murata, Iiu Susiraja and Kohei Yoshiyuki. The exhibition invests in exploring the boundaries of social identity. Limits of Control takes as its point of departure the tension between humans and their built, regulated habitat. The exhibition analyzes social identity with specific interest in control, repetition and artistic gestures.

 

The Beyond the Pleasure Principle publication brings together the thematic and visual contents of these two exhibitions. It features works by all the aforementioned artists and written works by Mark Johnstone, Reba Maybury and Aaron Schuster.  

 

The exhibitions are curated by Ilari Laamanen. The publication is edited by Ilari Laamanen and designed by Johanna Lundberg. The projects are made possible through generous support by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland. The Limits of Control is also supported by Frame Visual Art Finland.  

Kohei Yoshiyuki, Untitled from the series "The Park", 1971. Gelatin Silver Print. © Kohei Yoshiyuki, Courtesy Yossi Milo Gallery, New York

http://www.fciny.org/program/the-powers-that-be
http://www.fciny.org/program/mirage
http://www.fciny.org/program/the-powers-that-be-publication-1