Press release
Laura Lilja
A B C L G B T
8. - 30.11.2008
Galerii RAJA
Raja tn 11A, Tallinn, Eesti
Open Mon-Fri 12-17
More information: raa@hot.ee
In the Galleria Raja exhibition I present three artworks from years 2005-2008. The theme of the exhibition is the challenging conventional ideas of gender and sexuality and the situation of the sexual and gender minorities in Finland nowadays. In the artworks I study the complex power structures in the society by conceptualism, materiality, space and involvement of the spectator.
In my art I try to study gender and sexuality as broad concepts. For example, do language, space or art have gender or sexuality? How works gendered power? In my art I study queer theories, lgbt-culture and for example the means of the drag show - disguise, superficiality, repetition and parody.
Sculptural installation “Amen” studies background of judging homosexuality. The cast iron apples have texts curved on them; definitions and nicknames of non-heterosexuals both in English and Finnish. An unknown reader in Kontiolahti Library has underlined texts in one of the Bibles in the library. Those texts are printed on towels. Also the Bible is part of the installation as well as the wash-basin with water for hand-washing.
Sculptural installation “Freak (Globe)” has its starting point in the Finnish school system and the ideas that basic education gives about gender and sexuality. Both of the works, “Amen” and “Freak (Globe)”, offer possibilities for interaction – touching allowed!
Installation “Res publica” consists of the name signs of the 12 Finnish ministries; moulds of the signs have been made in front of the ministry buildings in public space. The work studies the power structures and relations in the community. How do we confront institutions in today’s society? After all, who makes decisions for us in the global capitalism and what is the meaning of democracy?
The starting point of the artworks is in my own personal life and experiences. Still I hope there is something to identify with for everyone who ever has felt left outside.
Laura Lilja
www.lauralilja.net, laura@lauralilja.net
Welcome to the vernissage at Friday 7th November from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.!
The exhibition has been supported by the Finnish Art Association, the Arts Council of Finland and the Arts Council of Satakunta.
"Res publica"
"Amen"
"Freak (Globe)"
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