The exhibition by Niina Pietarinen and Mira Vornanen, On a Field Trip – And Near the Starting Point, the View Surprised Once Again, consists of large pigment prints, small framed photographs, and a publication. The images in the exhibition were created through double exposures, where films that had already been photographed were re-exposed. The works involve wandering, marveling at views, and exploring the surrounding world.

 For Pietarinen and Vornanen, being on a trip is closely connected to movement and observation, both essential elements in the tradition of photography. Through their collaborative process, analog film photography has taken on a new and intriguing dimension. The photographs in the exhibition were created by each artist first shooting their own rolls of film, which were then exchanged. When the already exposed film was reloaded into the camera, it was treated as if it were a completely new, unexposed roll, without any knowledge of the moments captured by the other. In these double exposures, distinct moments merge to create new spaces that didn’t exist in reality. These new moments are like stories you can immerse yourself in.

 In addition to the observations made during their travels, a trip also signifies shared moments in everyday life, such as having coffee together or going for a walk. It can also mean immersing oneself in the world of a book or movie or visiting an exhibition. These shared outings are like play, something easily forgotten in the busyness of daily life. For Pietarinen and Vornanen, the On a Field Trip project is also an opportunity to share what is often considered a solitary artistic practice. The collaborative project allows them to learn from each other while simultaneously creating something new together, both in terms of the art itself and their working methods. Underlying this is a broader reflection on friendship and the sharing of everyday life in a society where values are becoming increasingly tough. Pietarinen and Vornanen have been working on the On a Field Trip project since the spring of 2022, and their collaboration continues.

Niina Pietarinen (b. 1990) is a photographic artist focusing on photobooks and publications. In her work, she explores themes of belonging to family and place through the use of archival images, text, and photography. Pietarinen received her Master of Arts degree from Aalto University’s master’s program in Photography in 2023 and graduated as a visual artist from Art Academy of the Turku University of Applied Sciences in 2019.

Mira Vornanen (b. 1990) is a gardener and visual artist. Currently, her work is grounded in walking and capturing scenes through photography and writing. In her art, she reflects on themes of seeing and touching, as well as the human experience in relation to the rest of nature. Vornanen is completing her master’s studies in the Printmaking program at the Academy of Fine Arts, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 2022. She previously graduated as a visual artist from Art Academy of the Turku University of Applied Sciences in 2018 and as a gardener in 2009.

Niina Pietarinen & Mira Vornanen
On a Field Trip – And Near the Starting Point, the View Surprised Once Again
16 August–12 October 2024
Hippolyte Korjaamo (Töölönkatu 51 A-B, 00250 Helsinki)
Open according to the opening hours of Korjaamo

image: Niina Pietarinen & Mira Vornanen, Retkellä-Kesä-päivänkakkara, 2022