nordiSKulptur, an exhibition collaboration between the Nordic Culture Point and the Association of Finnish Sculptors, brings forth fascinating Nordic contemporary sculpture. Páll Haukur and Pia Männikkö’s joint exhibition is the first in a series of three duo exhibitions that will be held at Galleria Sculptor between 2019–2021.

In his art, Páll Haukur examines and deconstructs the concept of an object. What makes the sculpture making for Haukur, is the immediate situations of objects and their relationship to one another; the tension between the material and the physics. His work often represents change or flux, either through the material condition of the work itself, or through the relation to the body in the space. The result is an aesthetic experience that constantly asks the viewers to situate and re-situate themselves in relation to the object. An object is never only an object, but also those things that make objecthood possible in the first place.

Body, space and their interaction are the point of departure in Pia Männikkö’s art. Männikkö is interested in how we observe our surroundings; she’s inspired by the different natural and physical phenomena and varying spatial scales. The bodily connection between a viewer and an artwork is substantial in Männikkö’s art as she aspires to create immersive situations and spaces for the viewer to enter. Mapping the passage of time, as well as creating objects that gradually grow and change, play a central role in her working process.

The Nordic Culture Point is the main sponsor of the exhibition. The Arts Promotion Center Finland has supported Männikkö’s participation in the exhibition.

Special thanks from Páll Haukur to Gulli Már, and from Pia Männikkö to Helsinki Hacklab.

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Pia Männikkö has graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Helsinki in 2014 and from the Glasgow School of Art in 2010. Since 2004 Männikkö’s works have been exhibited in several exhibitions in Finland and abroad, including e.g. the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, the Museum of Modern Art EMMA in Espoo, Örebro OpenART Biennale in Örebro, Sweden and the Armory Gallery in Sydney, Australia. Männikkö’s first permanent public artwork was realised in 2018 in Göteborg. Her works have been acquired for various collections, including the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma and the Collection of Finnish State Art Commission.

Páll Haukur has graduated from the California Institute of the Arts in 2013 and from the Icelandic University of the Arts in 2008. His works have been seen recently at solo shows at gallery Kling og Bang and Reykjavík Art Museum as well as at group show at Reykjavik Arts Festival. In addition to his artistic work, Páll Haukur also holds the position of Adjunct Professor at the Icelandic University of the Arts.

nordiSKulptur is an exhibition collaboration between Nordic Culture Point and the Association of Finnish Sculptors (SKL). Between 2019–2021, they will arrange three duo exhibitions with changing Nordic partners, starting with the Reykjavik Sculpture Association, Myndhöggvarafélagið í Reykjavík, in 2019. During the collaboration, SKL coordinates for its members exhibition possibilities in other Nordic countries.

Events during the exhibition:

Friday, November 1, 2019, at 4–6 pm
Artist talk with Páll Haukur and Pia Männikkö at Galleria Sculptor. The discussion is in English and it is moderated by Annukka Vähäsöyrinki, who works as an executive director at the Artists’ Association of Finland. The talk lasts approximately one hour, and the exhibition is open until 6pm.

November 6, 2019 – January 8, 2020
In relation to the exhibition at Galleria Sculptor, Pia Männikkö’s sculptural piece called Hidastus (Slowdown) is on display at the Nordic Culture Point’s window gallery (Kaisaniemenkatu 9).

Video interview is filmed and edited by Henric Öhman / Nordic Culture Point