New Rays is an exhibition created by a new generation of makers
New Rays is an exhibition created by a new generation of makers. Reflecting Backlight2023’s theme Cruel Radiance the exhibition portrays the invisible forces that are changing future realities. The photographic works focus on topics such as human impact on the environment, nostalgia and longing, physical and virtual connections as well as identity and gender questions.
The exhibition New Rays is the result of a unique educational pilot project that offered 30 photography students an opportunity to network with international peers while working within a professional environment. The exhibition is produced in collaboration with Willem de Kooning in Rotterdam, Tampere University of Applied Science Fine Art (TAMK) and Tampere University Photojournalism (TAU) as well as Photographic Center Nykyaika’s Backlight Festival.
The educational project consisted of a series of online meetings and open classes in the months February-May leading up to a live event, the exhibition, taking place in June. The online classes helped the students in their production process, with focus on artistic research, image editing and production. Online peer to peer meetings included meet & greet exercises, pitching of project ideas and peer feedback.
The exhibition will be open to the public from 7 June-30 July in Purkutaidetalo Pinni47 (Pinninkatu 47, 2nd floor). For a detailed program visit the Instagram account @newrays_nykyvaloa.
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The exhibition is curated by visual artist Yu-Hsuan Yao who is a graduate of TAMK. Emily Laakso is the graphic designer of the project.
List of artists
Tampere University Photojournalism students:
Aalto Puutio
Anni Ågren
Anriika Kauppi
Eelis Berglund
Eeva-Maria Brotherus
Jasmiina Soidinaho
Joel Peltonen
Kaisa Varkila
Lauri Karo
Saara Peltola
Tuomas Silventoinen
Vilhelmiina Penttilä
Willem de Kooning Academy:
Aniela Kurkiewicz
Anna Draganova
Bianca Sala Peup
Cristobal Pereira Carrillo
Elvin Eldho
Jasper van den Ende
Jan Malte Röhm
Jeremy Broere
Madelon van Vreedendaal
Maja Slodkowska
Sammie Straub
Sophie Schoenberg
Tyler Chan
TAMK Fine Art students:
Elina Isohanni
Erica Dahlström-Dezonne
Gustavo Juber
Riitta Santala-Köykkä
Saija Kalliojärvi
Sami Mikkonen
Yu-Hsuan Yao
List of teachers/contact persons
Elias Lahtinen (TAU), elias.lahtinen [at] tuni.fitarget="_blank", +358 5 0437 7618
Antti Haapio (TAMK), antti.haapio [at] tuni.fi, +358 50 560 6643
Rebecca Simons (Willem de Kooning), r.r.simons [at] hr.nltarget="_blank", + 31(0)629215669
The exhibition is supported by Patricia Seppälä Foundation.
