Listen to the Artists Talking
Podast Series!
Artists Talking is a series of co-created public conversations in English with contemporary artists working in Finland.
All episodes were recorded in front of a live audience at Yö Gallery in Helsinki, Finland in Spring 2023.
One episode a month will be released from September 15 until December 15, 2023 on all major podcast platforms.
Each episode consists of an hour-long talk between the host and artistic director of the series - Alexander Komlosi - and a guest artist from a different artistic field. Audience questions follow the conversation.
In each episode, Alex and his guest speak about the same three themes:
- What do we find difficult about making and receiving art?
- The artist’s subject matter and techniques
- Art in Contexts
Through the series, we discover themes common to artistic work, and explore issues specific to each guest artist.
This season we delve into the fields of dance, theatre, fine art, and music.
Guest artists include a diverse group of Finnish-, Swedish-speaking, and international artists from various artistic fields working in Finland.
The project aims to foster a quality cultural program for artistic communities and the general public. It creates a supportive and casual space to explore each artist’s personality, profession, and the creative process. It builds a shared intercultural space where Finnish and non-Finnish artists have an opportunity to reflect on their work and artistic lives. The talks allow artists and audiences to meet, learn from one another, and deepen mutual contact.
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Please give us feedback on this pilot season on our social media or email! Your input will help us develop Artists Talking. 🙂
Happy listening!
PROGRAM AND RELEASE SCHEDULE
EPISODE 1: Jenni-Elina von Bagh
Dancer, choreopgrapher, and the Artistic Director of Zodiak, Centre for Contemporary Dance in Finland.
Release date: September 15, 2023
EPISODE 2: Mikhail Durnenkov
Playwright. His play Lyhyt episodi sienisivilisaation universaalissa historiassa was recently presented (February 2023) at Espoo Kaupunginteatteri with Klockriketeater.
Release date: October 15, 2023
EPISODE 3: Meri Helmi Särkkä
(Formerly known as Mariam Haji) is a Bahraini multi-disciplinary fine artist who currently lives and works in Porvoo.
Release date: November 17, 2023
EPISODE 4: Charlotta Kerbs
Singer, musician, and songwriter. Currently active with bands such as Afrojazz Quintet and Charlotta Kerbs and the Strays.
Release date: December 15, 2023
For detailed bios of our host, guest, and staff, please see our blog.
CURATORIAL ADVISORS
Curatorial Advisors on the project include: Culture for All, Globe Art Point, TINFO (Linnea Stara, Jukka Hyde Hytti), Otso Huopaniemi, Sofia Molin, Heidi Sodinsalo, and Culture Current's Board of Directors and Advisors.
FUNDING
This project is made possible by funding from Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland and the Arts Council Finland (Taike), as well as support from Culture Current, its members and supporting members. Thanks to them! Kiitos! Tack!
SPECIAL THANKS
...to Yö ry for their partnership on this project!
All content © 2023 Kulttuuriyhdistys Culture Current ry
Project Background
The live talks took place 1-2 times a month at Yö Gallery in downtown Helsinki in spring 2023. The conversations were recorded and are presented as a podcast series to reach a wider audience.
The host and guest artist co-created the dramaturgy of the conversation to reflect upon professional and personal questions, themes, and concerns they shared and didn't share yet. Among other topics, they spoke about what we find difficult about making and receiving art; artistic subject matter and technique; and art in contexts.
Audience members had an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the discussion, then continued to open up the topics discussed more deeply during an informal reception after the talk while they enjoyed complimentary drinks and refreshments.
The Artistic Director of Artists Talking is Alexander Komlosi, an actor, writer, and teacher. The project was developed in collaboration with Culture Current's Board of Directors. Our team included Frida Gullichsen - Project Coordinator, and Janne Masalin - sound engineer.
The Live Series of Conversations took place in spring, 2023
Saturday, March 4th, 2023
Jenni-Elina von Bagh
Dancer, choreopgrapher, and the Artistic Director of Zodiak, Centre for Contemporary Dance, as of February 2023.
Saturday, April 1st, 2023
Mikhail Durnenkov
Playwright. His play Lyhyt episodi sienisivilisaation universaalissa historiassa was recently presented (February 2023) at Espoo Kaupunginteatteri with Klockriketeater.
Saturday, April 22nd, 2023
Meri Helmi Särkkä
(Formerly known as Mariam Haji) is a Bahraini multi-disciplinary fine artist who currently lives and works in Porvoo.
Saturday, May 20th, 2023
Charlotta Kerbs
Singer, musician, and songwriter. Currently active with bands such as Afrojazz Quintet and Charlotta Kerbs and the Strays.
TIME
Talks started at 7 pm.
Doors opened at 6:45 pm.
Talks lasted about an hour and a half, including 15 min for audience questions.
Mingle with complimentary refreshments after the talk.
VENUE
Yö Galleria
Lönnrotinkatu 33
00180 Helsinki
ADMISSION
Space was very limited.
Voluntary admission except for groups.
CONTACT
Frida Gullichsen, Project Coordinator,
frida@culturecurrent.org, +358 40 370 6327
Alexander Komlosi, Artistic Director & Host
alexander@culturecurrent.org, +358 40 411 0706