XXXXL————-Kunsthalle——————XXXS
– A seminar on Nordic kunsthalles.
Time: Thursday 21 March from 10 am to 3 pm.
Venue: Helsinki Kunsthalle
Address: Nervanderinkatu 3, 00100 Helsinki
In Sweden 50 – In Stockholm 17 Kunsthalles
In Denmark 10 – In Copenhagen 4 Kunsthalles
In Finland 4 – In Helsinki 1 Kunsthalle
Speakers of the seminar include:
Daniel Werkmäster, director, Norrtälje Konsthall
Maija Koskinen, director, Helsinki Kunsthalle
Camilla Larsson, curator, Bonniers Konsthall
Malene Natascha Ratcliffe, director of development, Den Frie, Copenhagen
Joanna Sandell, director, Båtkyrka Konsthall
The Academy of the Fine Arts of the University of the Arts Helsinki is organising a seminar entitled ‘XXXXL——— Kunsthalle ———XXXXS’ on Thursday 21 March from 10 am to 3 pm. The seminar’s main theme is the roles that kunsthalles have in the field of contemporary art
in Nordic countries as well as part of cultural and art policies, addressing the topic from a local,
Nordic perspective as well as internationally.
Kunsthalles have had a special standing in the field and dynamics of contemporary art in northern Europe. As exhibition organisations that are close to the artists, they have brought forward local and international phenomena in contemporary arts in the various periods. How has the standing of kunsthalles changed during the past decades with the internationalisation of the art field and the major changes in marketisation?
The critical public debate that has taken place concerning the channels of mediating art has
escalated in the twenty-first century into a battle between the various massive projects and small, artist-led activities. The ’light’ activities taking place at the grass roots level, led by artists, are seen as an alternative to large-scale, heavy institutions (for example Guggenheim vs. Checkpoint Helsinki). The concept of ‘Wall-less’ is represented, to both artists and the audience of the contemporary art, as a solution of art policy. At the same time, several ideas concentrating on massive cultural establishments are justified with such reasons as audience needs, competition between cities and cultural tourism.
Does it make sense to build the channels for mediating and receiving art on the ‘XXXXL’ ideals,
based on the exhibition industry, and on the artist-led ‘XXXXS’ strategy?
Kunsthalles represent a flexible, medium-sized form of exhibition activities, in between large
institutions and artist-led organisations. What is the role of kunsthalles in the Nordic countries
today, surrounded by large museums, artist-led galleries and art fairs? How does the public funding of the arts as a part of cultural policy treat kunsthalles in the different Nordic countries? What kind of a role do the Nordic kunsthalles have and what is their significance for artists, the international exchange of art works and the audience in today’s world?
The language of the seminar is English.
WELCOME!
THURSDAY 21st March from 10 a.m to 3 p.m
10:00 OPENING of the seminar. Presentation of speakers and guests
10:20 – 10:45 1st Presenation: Daniel Werkmäster, Norrtälje Konsthall
10: 45-11:15 2nd Presentation:Joanna Sandell, Båtkyrka Konsthall, Stockholm
11:15-11:55 Camilla Larsson, Bonniers Konsthall
LUNCH 12-13
13:00-13:30 3rs Presentation: Maija Koskinen Helsinki Kunsthalle
13:30-13:55 4th Presentation: Malene Natascha Ratcliffe, Den Frie, Copenhagen
14-15 Final discussion
CLOSING