Studio Aleppo [Helsinki]
Picturing ‘New’ Citizens
5-17 AUGUST 2017
5-6 August 2017
10-17 AUGUST 2017
Studio Aleppo [Helsinki] has been awarded the “Production of the Year-2017” by the TAKU ry (Art and Cultural Professionals’ Trade Union)
Studio Aleppo [Helsinki] is a pop-up photography studio and portrait exhibition to give visibility and voice to the different residents of Finland. The project aimed to change the image of refugees and migrant people among the society in a positive way by using the transformative power of arts. MiklagårdArts presented Studio Aleppo [Helsinki] at the National Museum of Finland and curated a series of participatory side events that took place during the pop-up exhibition that took place between 10 and 17 of August 2017.
Creation: Paradox
Author: Issa Touma
Executive Producer in Finland: MiklagårdArts
Concept, Direction of behalf of MiklagårdArts & Curator of Side-Events: Ceyda Berk-Söderblom
photos: Soile Tirilä & Johannes Romppanen
The National Museum of Finland
Pop-up photo studio WITH Juuso Westerlund
Exhibition & Side-events
Studio Aleppo is a European project of pop-up photo studios and exhibition, that travels in various cities in Europe and invites old and new residents to have their portrait taken by a local prominent photographer. As an act of solidarity and hospitality, local citizens also pay for the portrait of a newcomer and/or his/her family. For both parties, the portraits are a gesture of recognition and acknowledgment. The portraits are displayed side by side in an exhibition, after which they will also be added to an online gallery. Each portrait is a symbolic gesture, a declaration of intent for creating a new, equal future for all. Each participant is shortly interviewed about their background and future expectations. Through photographing newcomers and including them in a collection of portraits, the project aims to stimulate a feeling of recognition and inclusion.
Studio Aleppo [Helsinki] Side-Events
Curator: Ceyda Berk-Söderblom
A series of participatory events that all in their way deal with stories and the sharing of stories. What are the circumstances that determine who we are, what are our values, our beliefs, and what are the experiences that, in the end, form the story of our lives?
Thursday 10.8.2017 |18.00 | Kassandra Choir sings @ Studio Aleppo [Helsinki]
Saturday 12.8.2017 | 11.00-18.00 | Pop-up Café Damascus
Saturday 12.8.2017 | 11.00-13.00 and 13.30-15.30 | Sirkus Magenta's Open Circus Workshop
Saturday 12.8.2017 | 11.30 - 17.30 Temporary Pavilion for Permanent Negotiations" by Kalleinen & Kochta-Kalleinen
New conflict story for each session: 11.30 | 12.30 | 13.30 | 15.30 | 16.30 | 17.30
Saturday 12.8.2017 | 12.00-15.00 | My Living Heritage Workshop by the National Board of Antiquities (Museovirasto)
Saturday 12.8.2017 | 18.30-21.00 | Story Sharing Café @ Studio Aleppo [Helsinki]
Tuesday 15.8.2017 | 18.00| Newcomers - Reframing the future of Finland @ Studio Aleppo [Helsinki]
Think tank Demos Helsinki organized Newcomers - Reframing the future of Finland as part of the exhibition Studio Aleppo [Helsinki].
Wednesday 16.8.2017 | 11.00-13.00 and 15.00-17.00 | Privilege walk – drama workshop by Laurea University of Applied Sciences
The students of Laurea University of Applied Sciences run the workshop. The life stories of the people portrayed in the Studio Aleppo [Helsinki] are utilised in the roles.