Turku Biennial 2013: Idyll
9 May–1 September 2013

Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova
Itäinen Rantakatu 4–6
20700 Turku
Finland

Curatorial team: 
Laura Boxberg, Power Ekroth, Ellen Friis, Eeva Holkeri, Silja Lehtonen, Johanna Lehto-Vahtera, Æsa Sigurjónsdóttir and Karolin Tampere

Artists:
Petri Ala-Maunus, Emil Ásgrímsson, Søren Thilo Funder, Heidi Hove, Stine Marie Jacobsen, Lisa Jeannin, Tilda Lovell, Mom & Jerry, Valeria Montti Colque, Mercedes Mühleisen, Joar Nango & Tanya Busse, Bjargey Ólafsdóttir, Katarina Reuter, Silja Sallé, Elina Saloranta

Concept:
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?

Photo: Lisa Jeannin, “Me Tarzan You Insane” (still), 2013. Video. Courtesy of the artist.