Turku Biennial 2013 Idyll

The theme of the 2013 Turku Biennial is Idyll. Fifteen artists or artist groups have been invited to take part from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. The artists will make new works for the exhibition, examining idyll from close up and from a distance; from inside and outside; for better, for worse.

In 2013 the Turku Biennial examines idyll from a Nordic viewpoint. Fifteen artists or artist groups from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland have been invited to take part in the exhibition by curators from each Nordic country. Many universally shared ideas, but also surprising and deeply personal views to possible idylls are found in the new works.

The Greek word eidúllion means, literally, a small picture and a harmonious depiction, the subject relating to nature or the unspoiled beauty of the countryside. The concept of the idyll that came into being in antiquity, and the lyrical or pictorial works related to it, have created the foundation for how we experience the idyllic. Today the word "idyll" encompasses in equal measures irony and genuine escapism, a state of harmony to be aspired to. The word is loaded with an enormous number of meanings; for some it is empty talk, for many it is something that has been lost forever. The Nordic welfare state in itself harbours features of an idyllic society, but what is the reality of a Nordic idyll?

In June Berndt Arell, director of Stockholms Nationalmuseum, will select the winner of the Turku Biennial. This artist will receive a prize of 5,000 euro. Throughout the exhibition the audience will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite work. At the end of August the creator of the most popular work will receive a prize of 1,000 euro.

The members of the curatorial team are Laura Boxberg, Power Ekroth, Ellen Friis, Eeva Holkeri, Silja Lehtonen, Johanna Lehto-Vahtera, Æsa Sigurjónsdóttir and Karolin Tampere.

All the artists are introduced in the Turku Biennial 2013 publication by individual writers. The essays are written by Lauri Anttila, John Christian Ferner Apalnes, Kristoffer Busch, Susanne Christensen, Peter Cornell, Ulf Eriksson, Marius Grønning, Oscar Guermouche, Hallgrímur Helgason, Riina Katajavuori, Pessi Rautio, Gertrud Sandqvist, Jón Ásgeir Sigurvinsson and Marie Bruun Yde.

Turku Biennial 2013
'Idyll'
New Nordic Art

artists:
Petri Ala-Maunus, Emil Asgrimsson, Soren Thilo Funder, Heidi Hove, Stine Marie Jacobsen, Lisa Jeannin, Tilda Lovell, Mom & Jerry, Valeria Montti Colque, Mercedes Mühleisen, Joar Nango & Tanya Busse, Bjargey Olafsdottir, Katarina Reuter, Silja Salle, Elina Saloranta

curators:
Laura Boxberg, Power Ekroth, Ellen Friis, Eeva Holkeri, Silja Lehtonen, Johanna Lehto-Vahtera, AEsa Sigurjonsdottir, Karolin Tampere