Today I saw one of the most
exciting gallery exhibitions I have witnessed in quite some time.
Within Reach at Gallery Sculptor is a combination of three interactive installations by Heidi Tikka that
incorporate human contact and technology. To really experience the
work, you cannot be frightened to interact. The performative nature
of the artworks demand viewer participation, which bring up
interesting issues about art and people. Most viewers are generally
frightened to interact with art, to ask for directions, frightened
that they will break a work or that they will interact “incorrectly”
with a work. Touch, especially in culture like the one we have here
in Finland, is uncomfortable.
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| At Hand , 2010-2013 by Heidi Tikka |
The first installation At Hand
, 2010-2013, is a series of window projections that interact in a
minimalist way with the viewer. They are projected onto the windows
and are also visible to the viewers that happen to be walking by the
gallery. This work defines the gallery space, how we move, think,
view and play within the space.
The second work is a machine
called GSR2 (Galvanic Skin Reaction), 2013. The viewer is given a
set of instructions that they must follow by placing their hand on to
two copper plates that measure the viewers skin electricity. The GSR2
uses the same technology as lie detectors. The artwork projects a
moving image of a hand, depending on the machines reading of the
viewer, onto the viewers hand. The projections vary depending on the
viewers GSR, sometimes stroking sometimes rubbing. For me this
artwork was the most uncomfortable of the pieces. From now on, each
time I will touch a touch screen, I will think of the projected hand
from this artwork that rubbed small circles at the base of my thumb.
 |
| Three Nameless Prototypes, 2013 by Heidi Tikka |
The artwork which is probably the
easiest to enjoy, once you get over the whole touching in public
thing, is called Three Nameless Prototypes, 2013 (Kolme nimetöntä
prototyyppiä). It is constructed from three female mannequin torsos
in knitted dresses. They hang in a dimly lit space, separate,
occupied by these lonely (slightly deformed) figures – All very
similar but distinctly different. Viewers are asked to touch each
piece, to rub and really feel them up. At first this seems a bit
scary. Touching a mannequin in front of others, what does this say
about me? Should I put my hand in the hole built near the mannequins
groin? Is it ok to touch a mannequins chest? It all feels a bit scary
until you give in to it and just let the yourself act like a human.
To hug each mannequin, to hear their breath, heartbeat or simply feel
the vibration your body's touch has started in the artwork. Suddenly
it all feels quite safe and calming.
The artworks in the Within Reach
exhibition are an interesting mix of human touch and technology, they
ask difficult questions about technology, consumerism, loneliness and
most of all touch. This fantastic exhibition is only on for one last
day tomorrow the 19th of January 2014 so if you have a
chance go, see and touch.
HEIDI TIKKA
Kosketusetäisyys – Within reach
2.-19.1.2014
Gallery Sculptor
Eteläranta 12, 00130 Helsinki
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