Curated by Martin Schibli and Saara Karhunen
Martin Schibli, curator of the show:
About Alisa Yoffe (b. 1987, Russia)
Alisa Yoffe's artistic practice can be summed up in one word: energy. Rendered in thick black paint on white surfaces, whether canvas, paper, wall or clothes, the motifs carry a strong sense of presence. They usually take the shape of heads, faces, weapons and symbols, referencing police, repression and power. As the artist was unable to travel to Pori this year to realize a painting on site as planned, the effect is created with a monumental digital drawing.
Yoffe relates strongly to the punk underground scene in Moscow. The reference is not nostalgic, however, but rather relates to her unwillingness to be a part of the present establishment. Yoffe exploits the paradox of the outsider, the repudiation of the norms of society give her energy to go her own way. Painting is for her a daily activity—a struggle—in which the ground has become almost a combat zone. Painting is action—an attitude toward her environment and existing society. In short, it is a big "Fuck you!" to the establishment, but the good news is that Yoffe's painting communicates an energy that says change is possible.
An energetic image expands quite literally, breaks the bounds of the canvas and extends itself to the walls of the exhibition space. Yoffe's paintings are not just commentaries on today's Russian reality, but a legitimate battlefield. They depict the struggle to survive and to find an alternative approach to social organization.
Yoffe participates in the exhibition with a 25 meter wide wall installation. The artwork is based on a digital drawing which is printed on paper and mounted on the wall. The method bears a resemblance to the punk attitude of mass producing the message by printing. The title of the work is Fore!, a golf term that a player shouts when their ball is dangerously going the wrong way and risks hitting other players. The player knows in advance what damage the future may bring. A kind of metaphor of Russia today?
Link to info about group show
About Alisa Yoffe (b. 1987, Russia)
Alisa Yoffe's artistic practice can be summed up in one word: energy. Rendered in thick black paint on white surfaces, whether canvas, paper, wall or clothes, the motifs carry a strong sense of presence. They usually take the shape of heads, faces, weapons and symbols, referencing police, repression and power. As the artist was unable to travel to Pori this year to realize a painting on site as planned, the effect is created with a monumental digital drawing.
Yoffe relates strongly to the punk underground scene in Moscow. The reference is not nostalgic, however, but rather relates to her unwillingness to be a part of the present establishment. Yoffe exploits the paradox of the outsider, the repudiation of the norms of society give her energy to go her own way. Painting is for her a daily activity—a struggle—in which the ground has become almost a combat zone. Painting is action—an attitude toward her environment and existing society. In short, it is a big "Fuck you!" to the establishment, but the good news is that Yoffe's painting communicates an energy that says change is possible.
An energetic image expands quite literally, breaks the bounds of the canvas and extends itself to the walls of the exhibition space. Yoffe's paintings are not just commentaries on today's Russian reality, but a legitimate battlefield. They depict the struggle to survive and to find an alternative approach to social organization.
Yoffe participates in the exhibition with a 25 meter wide wall installation. The artwork is based on a digital drawing which is printed on paper and mounted on the wall. The method bears a resemblance to the punk attitude of mass producing the message by printing. The title of the work is Fore!, a golf term that a player shouts when their ball is dangerously going the wrong way and risks hitting other players. The player knows in advance what damage the future may bring. A kind of metaphor of Russia today?
Link to info about group show
COLLABORATION
Special release of stationery and T-shirts
Special release of stationery and T-shirts
PRESS
25 metriä punk-asennetta
by Seni Kuvaja
Newspaper 'Enemmän'
by Seni Kuvaja
Newspaper 'Enemmän'
VIDEO
PHOTOS
Fore! printed digital images 25 x 4 m
Photo by Erkki Valli-Jaakola
Photo by Erkki Valli-Jaakola
Fore!printed digital images 25 x 4 m
Photo by Erkki Valli-Jaakola
Photo by Erkki Valli-Jaakola
