Minna Kangasmaa | Eija Hirvonen | Pekka Homanen | Silja Kejonen & Outi Vuoriranta | Päivi Pussila
The Oulu Artists’ Union introduces us the works of five artists under the theme New Hierarchy. What is hierarchy and how does it manifest itself in art, politics, home, school, work life and life in general? What about power, what is it and how does it look like? Is the structural “pecking order” unneeded or necessary and if so, why? The exhibition offers new, accurate, challenging views to hierarchy and how it is represented. The works include sculpture, photography, serigraphy, installation, painting and performance.
Minna Kangasmaa:
"In the 18th century Carl von Linné placed human in his taxonomic system as one species in the order of primates. He added the motto “nosce te ipsum” – know thyself – after the designation. Based on this motto, I have made a series of works that seek alternative ways to understand our planet as a meeting point for humans and non-humans. Our relationship with nature, how we use the decreasing resources and treat other people, animals, plants and everything else on this planet, will affect our present and future. In my works I try to challenge the human-centric worldview and think, how our relationship with the material world creates hierarchies. Empathy plays a crucial role, as it may be the way to a new kind of understanding."