Final Thesis Exhibition of the
Degree Programme in Fine Art 2010
Taidehalli TR1 8.5. – 30.5.2010
Taidekeskus Mältinranta 8.5. – 25.5.2010
THE STATEMENT OF THE GRADUATES
While artist Jeff Koons is in Los Angeles building the most expensive piece of art in the word, the 19 million euro “Train” installation and the British artist Damien Hirst asks for 75 million euros for a skull created out of diamonds and platinum, 19 young artists graduate from TAMK. Most of us are poor by Finnish standards: we live on less than 825 euros per month. One of us would live for 7576 years on the price of Hirst’s skull.
A Finnish artist has two ways of reaching similar earnings as Hirst and Koons. The first option is a good marketing strategy, a skilful international gallerist and an eye for the game. The other option is to do lotto. The statistics for astronomical amounts of money are almost as small in both alternatives.Luckily, we graduates feel art has other value besides being seen as a commodity, a service or a potential investment. When art has become a thing, an expendable commodity, art has already died. Through our Sold Out exhibition, we want to wake up the viewer to think about the market value of art. Are the products of our minds just commodities, or can they give a viewer such capital, which cannot be turned into a product?
Each artist gives in their work a piece of themselves to the viewer. In our final theses works we have sold out all of the resources we have ever had for doing the work. Because we all see art in a different light, the exhibition itself is an adventure in different worlds and feelings.
Despite all this, we will be happy if the pieces are also sold.
Welcome to see our exhibition!
Further information: Heta Mäkelä: heta.makela(at)cult.tpu.fi / p. 050-3251575
EXHIBITIONS:
Taidehalli TR1
Address: Väinö Linnan aukio 13, Finlayson, Tampere
Open: Tue-Fri 9-17, Sat-Sun 11-18 (Mon closed)
Taidekeskus Mältinranta
Address: Kuninkaankatu 2, 33210, Tampere
Open: Mon-Thu 12-18, Fri-Sun 12-16
