4/3/2009
Eemil Karila
Program, Berlin
In Surface Values, Finnish artist Eemil Karila reframes the perpetual question of what lends the institutional receptacle its pristine, unquestionable authority. Dispensing with the cold narrative's all too typical materials: 4 white walls, stark fluorescent overhead lights - she explores the endless recalibration of the exhibition space and the oft-unacknowledged sociopolitical implications in each reapplication of matte white paint.
In Surface Values, Finnish artist Eemil Karila reframes the
perpetual question of what lends the institutional receptacle its
pristine, unquestionable authority. Dispensing with the cold
narrative's all too typical materials: four white walls, stark
fluorescent overhead lights – Karila explores the endless recalibration
of the exhibition space and the oft-unacknowledged sociopolitical
implications in each reapplication of matte white paint. Previously
exhibited at Rovaniemi Art Museum, Finland and Galerija Vartai
(Vilnius), Lithuania, Surface Values marks Eemil Karila’s first
solo exhibition in Berlin.
Alternating black light brings the performance of a marginalized actor
into focus; the UV inks mixed into a solution of cleaning chemicals
trace the motions of the part-time cleaner, a former nurse from the
Ukraine with quiet poise. Herself a supportive figure in the ephemeral
architecture of PROGRAM's network of collaborators, Ludmila agreed to
take part in Surface Values on the conditions that her portrait
not be permanently archived on our website, and that her last name not
be used.
Eemil Karila
(Rovaniemi, 1978)
lives and works in Helsinki and Berlin. He studied at the Academy of
Arts in Estonia (Tallinn), the Instituto de Artes Plasticas de Armando
Reveron (Caracas, Venezuela) and the Academy of Arts in Finland
(Helsinki). Recent solo exhibitions include Artscape, Gallery Vartai,
Vilnius Lithuania (2009), MIKÄ ON MINUN ON MEIDÄN, WHAT´S MINE IS
OURS, Rovaniemi Art Museum (2008), Bar9, Helsinki, Finland (2007), ”How
to seduce a cynic?”, Gallery Mältinranta, Tampere, Finland
(2006-07), while selected group shows include Smart, Christmas
viewing, Gallery Korjaamo, Helsinki Finland (2009), ”Souvenirs”,
Gallery S12, Bergen, Norway (2008), New Works, Gallery Fafa,
Helsinki (2008). He has received numerous awards including the Finnish
Culture Fund (Lapland Region) for artistic practice (2008), Visek
project grant (2008), Lapland Art Council (2007), Valtos Foundation
Grant (2006).
The exhibition is supported by the FInnland-Institut in Germany
PROGRAM is a nonprofit project aimed at testing the disciplinary boundaries of architecture through collaborations with other fields. Initiated in 2006 by Carson Chan and Fotini Lazaridou-Hatzigoga, PROGRAM provides a discursive platform for artists, architects, critics and curators to explore ideas through exhibitions, performances, workshops, lectures, and residencies. PROGRAM intends to enrich and broaden our definitions of architecture, and to challenge traditional, domesticated modes of architectural practice and representation. Developing each project independent of an overarching agenda, PROGRAM is striving to diversify the ways we understand and make architecture. Central to our project is to engage the discourse with emerging creative processes that activate the space between pure theoretical research, professional praxis and architecture's social role.
Occupying the ground level of former Russian Hotel Newa PROGRAM’s location in Berlin includes an exhibition space, offices, a reading room, studio spaces, and a residency.
Opening Thursday March 5, h 19
Program
Invalidenstrasse 115 - Berlin
Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday 2-7pm or by appointment