Looking through this collection of works by up-and-coming Finnish artists examining the retail and consumer worlds, it’s clear that they are neither happy with the current state of affairs, nor too optimistic about the shape of things to come.
TEASER has been put together by Showroom Helsinki and transplanted for exhibition at Berlin’s Salon Dahlmann. Here we see brands, manipulated as the consumer is, spell out messages of doom in Jani Leinonen’s fun yet foreboding pieces, whilst Aurora Reinhard uses sexed-up imagery to make her point about the most powerful selling tool out there. Jiri Geller (no relation) doesn’t think we’ll find heaven at the top of a mall escalator installation, and Mari Keto pays homage to comic fiction’s ultimate anarchist in fake gemstones and silk. See what the four Finns are selling on Marburger Strasse 3 from 20th January to 17th February.
Jani Leinonen: One Day,
2011 Acrylic on board / 186 x 261 cm
Photo: Vilhelm Sjöström
© Courtesy Showroom Helsinki
Aurora Reinhard: Treasure, 2008
From the Teaser series 2006-2008
Lambda-print on aluminium, framed, 125 x 100 cm
Photo: Vilhelm Sjöström
© Courtesy Showroom Helsinki
Jani Leinonen: Your dreams are my nightmares, 2010
Acrylic on product package /
35 x 100 x 8 cm
Photo: Vilhelm Sjöström
© Courtesy Showroom Helsinki
Aurora Reinhard: Flowers / Blumen, 2006
Lycra, Kunststoff, Nagellack,
4 x 75 x 25 cm Privatbesitz, Italien
© VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2012
Jiri Geller: God Says No, 2001
550 x 150 x 900 cm
painted readymade components, steel, MDF board
© Courtesy Showroom Helsinki
Aurora Reinhard: High Rider, 2009-2012
24 x 12,5 x 3 cm, resin, metallized surface
Photo: Vilhelm Sjöström
© Courtesy Showroom Helsinki
Mari Keto: Trapped In Luxury, 2008
Gilded tombak, leather, steel
Photo: Ace productions
© Courtesy Showroom Helsinki
Jiri Geller: Sugared II, 2012
painted resin, glassfiber, steel 28 x 44 x 42 cm
edition of 3 + 1 APrd
Photo: Vilhelm Sjöström
© Courtesy Showroom Helsinki
Mari Keto: Some Men Just Want To Watch The World Burn, 2012
imitation stones, acrylic, mdf, silk
100 x 120cm
Photo: Vilhelm Sjöström
© Courtesy Showroom Helsinki
