Kattaus*
*Finnish for Table Setting
Bruxelles - Belgium 2021
This has taken over thirty years. I finally understand that I have to be quiet. Not hiding. No eyes closed. But I simply can't scream that I'm here. I can't advertise that the collages are yours. It would mean that pictures would be on sale and my collages aren't for sale.
Like in love, I'm waiting for true moment
I absolutely don't want to look like an artist at work, framing works or building a market selling stall. Image of me sitting with the collages on my lap feels good. I guess this isn't a new picture of artist A new picture of me, though.
I asked on social media in Jodel and Face Book where the new works should be given. I gave people three options; in Tampere, Espoo and Brussels. I would go to Tampere because I will take part in an anti-NATO debate there. In Espoo, I am a facilitator of a peace event and in Brussels I host a discussion on culture. Espoo and Brussels reached the final stages. Then Brussels won the vote.
The first idea of me in Brussels was nothing but beautiful. I imaged me sitting at the end of a road lined with white-painted trees. Again, I’m not happy how I work with the idea of coincidence.
The coincidence of someone other than me should influence the decision making of where and how I interact with people. With Riitta the conversation always develops the idea. You just must trust in the flow of life and give coincidence a chance.
I made a performance in Brussels twenty years ago. This happened along a walkway to the Cathedral. Busy people didn't see much of me. The drawings returned to suitcase. That’s when I started to realize that my art was about presence and that´s enough.
Now I'm going back to Brussels, and I try to be quiet.
If the first meeting was with Madonna, I'd have to see Whores next. Will there be a Mother I´d be going back to?
Sitting next to prostitutes began to feel natural
I'm selling myself, too. In China, in a small village along the bend of the Li River, I sat next to women selling honey. In Tallinn and Malmi, I performed works next to grannies selling wool socks.
I often sit on the street with women. So, there's not much coincidence involved?
On the way, I realize, that I don't have to wait to reach destination, sit down and hold the collages on my lab. Tiina had said one could sit on a horse statue. I sat in the subway, at bus stop and in the bus.
Accidentally I fell at train station
I'm flying head-first to the asphalt. A black food delivery guy lifts me off the ground. The older lady I had just given my seat on the bus will make sure I'm alive. I'm saying I'm an acrobat and everything's fine. I had to go to the bathroom, I sit on the toilet with collages on my lap and clean my knees.
It's raining outside. Hooker street flows men. I'm going under the bridge to cover the rain. I had found my place to sit down again. I hold the collages on my lab. Sex workers care take care of their clients.
I'm exposed like prostitutes in their own windows. I'm not yelling. I'm here! I'm sitting and the collages are yours.
Like in love, I'm waiting for true moment.
I was sitting at crossroads. Driving men after women slowed down because of the love tunnel. Some men saw my collages too.