Series: Ruskieloi solmiloi (Red Tangles)
7.-29.3.2025 / Keššetäh / Oksasenkatu 11 / Helsinki, FI
“In Karelian folklore, the forest spirit mettšähine is able to trap the living in the forest cover (mečänpeitto). Once covered by the forest, the familiar surroundings become foreign and no help can be found since the person has become invisible to others. Today, the mečänpeitto has been examined as a condition in which individuals give up their selfhood and surrender to the opposing world.
One may argue that outside forces have strived to misguide the Karelian people and culture into a state similar to the mečänpeitto. For centuries Karelians have been and still are targeted by xenophobia, assimilation, silencing, and denial. Situating between ever-changing political powers and borders, a background as refugees, displacement, and industrialisation have driven Karelians down unknown paths. Forced displacement shattered the peoples heritage, language and traditions.
For a Karelian, navigating within the outcome of these conditions can resemble getting lost in the forest: the path towards what has been lost is reconstructed by following little cues. When trapped by the mečänpeitto, one can be freed by turning their clothes inside out. The act of turning something inside out makes the invisible visible. It can be applied to re-thinking and re-learning as an act of rebellion, an objection to blending into the dominant culture.
Keššetäh (eng. endure) was born out of numerous experiences of longing, grief, and joy along the journey back home. Endurance refers to continuities, preserving the original state, and resilience to adverse conditions. The exhibition is rooted in collaboration: disembarking the path with fumbling steps, hand in hand.”
Participating artists Papu Hyypiä, Henna Hyvärinen, Hannele Kumpulainen, Mikki Noroila, Reeta Suvanto ja Lumi Tuomi