Friday 13th May
Private-view at Oksasenkatu11 Gallery
This evening we visited the Private view of Silent Wishes at Oksasenkatu 11, an Art exhibition and silent auction in aid of disaster relief fundraising for Japan.
Oksasenkatu 11 are an artists run collective who rent the former Gallery Leena Kuumola in Helsinki and run the space collectively, putting on either group or solo shows that are self financed.
Talking with Pipsu Isola, a member of the group, she was interested in Sam West’s initiative, not only as an idea for sustainable and alternative residencies, but felt that this approach to collectively supporting peers was also what Oksasenkatu 11 had recognized a vital need for, when they formed in 2008. She described how the groups initial focus was to foster collaboration, supporting artists and the content of art without seeking profit. They encourage independent action in the field of art and the society in general. They aim to create space for critical conversation and offer artists an opportunity to react to what’s happening in their environment, thoughts and works that may be less visible in current economic and academic conditions.
Oksasenkatu 11 members inclucde:
Erika Erre, Hanne Granberg, Alma Heikkilä, Pipsu Isola, Jaakko Karhunen, Antti Majava, Taneli Rautiainen, Laura Wesamaa.
Sam West hopes to meet with Oksasenkatu 11 in the next few days to discuss the possibilities of collaboration.
