Riikka Puronen, Ideoiden maailma, 2013
PHOTOGRAPHIC GALLERY HIPPOLYTE
Yrjönkatu 8–10 (courtyard), 00120 Helsinki, Finland, +358 9 612 33 44, www.hippolyte.fi
Open: Tue–Fri 12–17, Sat–Sun 12–16
9 August – 1 September 2013
RIIKKA PURONEN
World of Ideas
E-book launch on the Night of the Arts, Thursday 22 August, 5-9pm
“ The mascara is called Hypnose Star. Moisturizer in a jar: Midnight Rose, Time Capsule, Youth Activator… or something. Curious names for ordinary things.”
Riikka Puronen’s exhibition at the Photographic Gallery Hippolyte presents a series of sculptures and drawings, which draw inspiration from the world of various products and their names. World of Ideas examines sculpture’s relationship with material, presentation and words.
The original casts for the sculptures’ bronze components are made out of beeswax, which is replaced by metal while melting and running out under the heat. The pieces of metal are placed on black, lidded stands, which remind us of Lancomê’s cosmetic containers. These plinths in turn are positioned on top of other stands and partly isolated from the viewer by plexiglass. Perhaps what we recognize as a sculpture is merely a weight on top of the lid.
The sculptures communicate with the gallery space. In Hippolyte’s new exhibition space traces of history are left visible: An old balcony and gilded plaster ornaments frame the upper section. On the other hand, the space has been restructured by building walls and a monumental structure at the back of the gallery. The structure both separates the technical facilities and forms a stage. The sculptures themselves are also surrounded by various stands and frames, which confine their space. The artworks are allowed to be loose, bits from other worlds, in their classical surroundings.
Together with the exhibition, a 130-page e-book containing works by Riikka Puronen from years 2005–2013 will be published on the Night of the Arts, 22 August. The pictures are taken by Jussi Tiainen, Esa Semeri and Saila Semeri. The text by Veli-Matti Saarinen and layout by Maria Appelberg.
Riikka Puronen (b. 1968) lives and works in Helsinki. She received her MA degree in sculpture from the Academy of Fine Arts, Helsinki in 1996, but has also carried out studies in the study programme of Time and Space Arts. Since 2007 she has worked as a lecturer in sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts. Puronen’s art is characterized by a vast variety of different materials and techniques. She constantly seeks different ways to execute spatial ideas. She is also intrigued by the dialogue between the two- and three-dimensional work and the interface between drawing and sculpting.
Puronen has had solo exhibitions since 1992. Her works have been presented in various galleries, among the most recent: Forum Box, Helsinki 2012; Galleri SE Art, Falun 2010 and Galleria Sculptor, Helsinki 2010. She has also participated in several group exhibitions in Italy, Poland, France, Sweden and Russia, including Örebro Open Art, Sweden in 2011; Stressed Beauty, Art Paris, France in 2010. Riikka Puronen was given the William Thuring Award by the Finnish Art Society in 2010.