Osmo Rauhala
dal 16/2/2007 al 2/6/2007
Segnalato da
16/2/2007
Osmo Rauhala
Groninger Museum, Groningen
Before the horizon was broken. The show will display video installations and paintings. With his work, Rauhala attempts to realize a better understanding of himself and his surroundings. In doing so, he makes use of philosophical, theoretical and scientific ideas that are based on direct observations of the nature around him.
Before the horizon was broken
curated by Patty Wageman and Rianne Schoonderbeek
In the exhibition Before the horizon was broken, which will run from 17 February to
3 June 2007, the Groninger Museum will display video installations and paintings by
the Finnish contemporary artist Osmo Rauhala. Rauhala is regarded as one of the
major Finnish artists of today. His work is in some aspects to that currently shown
in the exhibition in the Groninger Museum entitled Akseli Gallen-Kallela
(1865-1931).The Spirit of Finland, which displays the work of the nineteenth-century
Finnish artist.
With his work, Osmo Rauhala attempts to realize a better understanding of himself
and his surroundings. In doing so, he makes use of philosophical, theoretical and
scientific ideas that are based on direct observations of the nature around him.
Rauhala researches certain recurring patterns in nature as the building blocks, the
alphabet, of the world. He recognizes similar patterns in deer antlers, bolts of
lightning, and the course of rivers. Rauhala noticed that in addition to these
patterns, there are abstract figures, such as the oval and the spiral, which recur
in all aspects of life, from DNA to the Milky Way.
The oeuvre of Osmo Rauhala is a visual articulation of scientific calculation and
underlying connecting theories. With the aid of satellite photos, Osmo Rauhala has
charted the seven most important rivers in the world. The meandering paths with
their many tributaries display remarkably many similarities with the patterns of a
flash of lightning or even our own blood vessels. With these works, Rauhala not only
demonstrates the presence of a universal pattern but also emphasizes the importance
of rivers as the arteries of life. The fact that the rivers in question are not only
the most important but also the most polluted rivers in the world supports
Rauhala's criticism of the way mankind treats the environment.
Osmo Rauhala spends his summers in Finland, were he manages and works on his
family's biological farm. In the winter, he moves to New York, where he
concentrates on his visual art in his studio. Elements from the old Finnish epic The
Kalevala are apparently effortlessly converted to stories with modern relevance.
Here, Osmo Rauhala has clearly been inspired by Akseli Gallen-Kallela and his
interest in The Kalevala. As such, Osmo Rauhala is an ideal present-day addition to
the exhibition Akseli Gallen-Kallela. The Spirit of Finland, which will be on show
in the Groninger Museum until 15 April 2007.
Main sponsor of the exhibition: NOKIA
Co-sponsor: KONE
For more information:
Josee Selbach, +31 (0)50-3666555, jselbach@groningermuseum.nl
Roel van Venrooij, +31 (0)50-3666555, rvanvenrooij@groningermuseum.nl
Groninger Museum
Museumeiland 1 - Postbus 90 - Groningen