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It was almost a non-art season - but that would be impossible.
We had so many wonderful visitors to Sarvisalo. First in line was lovely Javier Peres with his wonderful partner Gunther and Gallery Boy Big Nick Koenigsknecht. These Berlin boys seemed very happy!
The Finnish Minister for Culture Paavo Arhinmäki found emerging contemporary art very interesting as he demonstrates with this work by South Korean artist Osang Gwon. His enthusiasm was infectious.
Carl Gustaf, Maire and the whole of the Ehrnrooth clan came and we entertained them for the day via Kiasma. Brazilian artist Isabella Cabral - standing second from the left.
The highlight of all our visits for me was the visit from Richard Armstrong, Director of Guggenheim Foundation and his team. From L-R: Sanna-Mari Jantti, Timo Heino from the Foreign Ministry, last year’s artist in residence and co-representing Finland at this year’s Venice Biennale Antti Laitinen, Mikko Kalhama from Design Forum Finland, Timo Miettinen, Iiris Ulin-Miettinen and the lovely collector Rafaela Seppälä, Richard Armstrong, Pilvi Kalhama, Director of EMMA Museum of Modern Art, Ari Wiseman, Vice Director of the Guggenheim Foundation, Maija Tanninen, Director of Ateneum, myself and Ritva Viljanen, Deputy Mayor of the City of Helsinki.
Here Ari, Richard and Sanna-Mari enjoy a drink on the jetty - it was an incredibly interesting evening and a full moon. The big question is still - will there be a Finnish Guggenheim?
On the way home to UK in Helsinki we were immediately engulfed by strong public art. Not sure what to make of it?
In contrast some light hearted art created by a collaboration called Jaywalking sponsored by Kiasma. Painting shadows out of water as we walked around the streets. Now it is here…
et voila!
Then it was back to HQ where Ellen was in conversation with artists Yolena Popova, Oscar Mullino and David Ryan (writer and artist). Here we have Bernard, Ellen, Vanessa Carlos, Oscar Murillo, myself, Patricia Low, Lizzie and Mimi Dusselier.
Here are the Popova Family!
Rob Diament presented me an amazing work by Michael Fullerton, showing me in my Kate Bush moment! It felt like I was looking in the mirror, a flash back of bygone days. Wish I knew as much then as I know now! Oh well they say knowledge is danger so maybe a good thing. Thank you Rob, and huge thanks to Michael!
Then it was a quick stint in Ibiza where art is replaced by spectacle and music, Swedish House Mafia, David Guetta and again Avici. I got to meet the boys and girls behind the scenes not too different to our tech team at the Collection.
boys and girls… perhaps the performance art in Ibiza is a little more polished than I was used to.
This put me in the mood for another gruelling year of labour in the art world. MI!MS the word
Andy Holden and his team setting up for the show of the century.
At the same time as MIMS we will show Heather Phillipson. This gives us an excuse to visit Newcastle-Upon-Tyneand the Baltic to immerse ourselves in her world.
Whilst we were there Director Godfrey Worsdale and Baltic Curators Laurence Sillars and Alessandro Vincentelli treated us to an amazing tea party.From the back Associate to Paul Shriek Mr Fox, Paul Shriek, Stephanie Bush, our new Programme Manager, Matt Stokes who gave solo presentation with us in 2008, our Public Programme curator Kelly Large, artist Katie Paterson who showed in Systematic in 2010, our lovely Lizzie, then front row from L to R is Hannah from Locus +, Alessandro, Laurence, Godfrey and John, Director of Locus+ who had just sent off a little bit of the Moon for Katie Paterson, it is due to do 13 round the world orbits with UPS in the next 12 months. Whilst that started its journey for me it was just good to be home!More info and get the app at http://www.secondmoon.org.uk/
