Helsinki School

The Helsinki School

The Helsinki School was a name introduced in an article by Boris Hohmeyer in 2003. This was the first time it was used as a brand name to describe a selection of artists who had studied under adjunct professor Timothy Persons at Aalto University School of Arts, Architecture & Design in Helsinki from the beginning of 1990s until now. It was based upon a Professional Studies program that used its academic platform to create an environment that blended its teachers, students and former graduates together in a contextual dialogue through group exhibitions, publications and the utilisation of the international art fairs as a means for teaching, referencing and presenting these artists’ works to the international community.
The Helsinki School follows other of two key photographic movements: 'The New American Color Photography' which established color photography as an important artistic medium, beginning with the William EGGLESTON exhibition at the MoMA in New York in 1976. And the 'Düsseldorf School, which emerged in the late 1970s under the guidance of Bernd and Hilla BECHER, followers of the 1920s German tradition of 'Neue Sachlichkeit' (New Objectivity). Their students, Andreas GURSKY, Candida HÖFER, Thomas RUFF and Thomas STRUTH modified the approach by applying new technical possibilities and contemporary vision. These movements combined with the influence of the Icelandic minimalism and artists like Donald Judd, played a pivotal role in understanding the roots of the Helsinki School.

Artists of Helsinki School

Pentti SAMMALLAHTI and Arno Rafael MINKKINEN were the original mentors who inspired the first generation of artists like Jorma PURANEN, Ulla JOKISALO and Timo KELARANTA. The next generation Jyrki PARANTAINEN, Marjaana KELLA, Pertti KEKARAINEN, Joakim ESKILDSEN, Ilkka HALSO, Tiina ITKONEN, Elina BROTHERUS, Aino KANNISTO, Ola KOLEHMAINEN, Janne LEHTINEN, Sanna KANNISTO and Riitta PÄIVÄLÄINEN. The third generation Sandra KANTANEN, Ari KAKKAINEN, Niko LUOMA, Santeri TUORI and Jari SILOMÄKI. The fourth generation Ville LENKKERI, Anni LEPPÄLA, Susanna MAJURI, Mikko SINERVO, Nelli PALOMÄKI, Milja LAURILA, Niina VATANEN, Eeva KARHU, Fifth generation Tanja KOLJONEN, Juuso NORONKOSKI, Mikko RIKALA, Sixth generation Ville KUMPULAINEN, Jaakko KAHILANIEMI, Hilla KURKI, Rainer PAANANEN.

Publications of The Helsinki School

'The Helsinki School Vol. 6: The Nature of Being' (2019); 'The Helsinki School Vol. 5: From the Past to the Future, 2014); 'The Helsinki School Vol. 4: A Female View, 2011); 'The Helsinki School Vol. 3: Young Photography by TaiK, 2009); 'The Helsinki School Vol. 2: New Photography by TaiK' (2007); 'The Helsinki School Vol. 1: Photography by TaiK' (2005)

Publications of artists from The Helsinki School
SAMMALLAHTI, Pentti - Hier weit entfernt
SAMMALLAHTI, Pentti - Hier weit entfernt
'Here Far Away. Photographs 1964-2011' presents a comprehensive retrospective of the work of photographer Pentti SAMMALAHTI. It takes its viewers from his native Scandinavia through the Soviet republics & Siberia, Europe & Great Britain, Asia & Africa.
298,00 €
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ESKILDSEN, Joakim - American Realities
ESKILDSEN, Joakim - American Realities
Out-of-print photo volume 'American Realities' by Joakim ESKILDSEN features people in New York, California, Louisiana, South Dakota & Georgia who live below the poverty line. For many of them there is no longer an 'American Dream' - just American reality.
128,00 € * Weight 0.6 kg
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ESKILDSEN, Joakim - Cornwall
ESKILDSEN, Joakim - Cornwall
In his photo book 'Cornwall', Danish photographer Joakim ESKILDSEN is fascinated by a world that oscillates between rugged edges, exuberant blossom magic and sparse fishing villages. Shown are landscapes in slightly faded sepia tones as well as portraits.
58,00 € *
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BROTHERUS, Elina - Seabound
BROTHERUS, Elina - Seabound
Elina BROTHRUS found points of departure for the book 'Seabound' in the collection of Sørlandets Kunstmuseum. Some works are based on 19th century Romantic paintings, others on performative scores, for example by Yoko Ono, Valle Export or John Baldessari.
58,00 € *
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BROTHERUS, Elina - Carpe Fucking Diem
BROTHERUS, Elina - Carpe Fucking Diem
The autobiographical documentation 'Fucking Carpe Diem' by Finnish photographer Elina BROTHERUS deals with the highly taboo topic of unwanted childlessness. Intelligently designed, the volume takes the viewer on an emotional journey into the human soul.
49,90 € *
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BROTHERUS, Elina - Artist and her model
BROTHERUS, Elina - Artist and her model
'It's a strange feeling to look back at the young person I used to be. What happened? What has changed? The apartments. The face has grown older. What else?' - At least not the style in Elina BROTHERUS' self-portraits, that has remained pretty constant.
from 48,00 € Weight 1.3 kg
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SAMMALLAHTI, Pentti - Me Kaksi
SAMMALLAHTI, Pentti - Me Kaksi
The photo volume 'Me Kaksi' by Pentti SAMMALLAHTI celebrates the chance encounter. It contains a selection of iconic as well as unpublished photographs from more than forty years of wandering the world and tells of the universality of emotional connection
from 45,00 € Weight 0.8 kg
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SAMMALLAHTI, Pentti - Des Oiseaux
SAMMALLAHTI, Pentti - Des Oiseaux
In 'Des Oiseaux', Finish travel photographer Pentti SAMMALLAHTI captures the secrets of nature and among them the world of birds. Coasts, marshes, parks, endless plains, forest clearings, snowy landscapes where birds reveal their presence in a refined way
from 44,00 € Weight 0.7 kg
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LENKKERI, Ville - The Petrified Forest / Kivettynyt metsä
LENKKERI, Ville - The Petrified Forest / Kivettynyt metsä
Linen bound HC (no dust jacket, as issued), 27,5 x 24,5 x 2,5 cm., 160 pp.,
40,00 € *
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LENKKERI, Ville - Medical Records of a Small Town / Pikkukaupungin sairaskertomus
LENKKERI, Ville - Medical Records of a Small Town / Pikkukaupungin sairaskertomus
HC (no dust jacket, as issued), 24,5 x 21,5 x 2,5 cm., 156 pp., 86 color ills, bilingual text: Finnish / English
40,00 € *
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