Hanna-Kaisa Korolainen: The House of Play and Rain exhibition

The exhibition by designer and artist Hanna-Kaisa Korolainen is connected to her artistic research for Aalto University.

Lokal-gallery // Annankatu 9 // 00120 Helsinki

Tue-fri 11-18, Sat 11-16, Sun 12-16

Welcome to the opening on the 23rd of February at 5pm–7pm

Lokal gallery presents the exhibition The House of Play and Rain by designer and artist Hanna-Kaisa Korolainen (1976). Her works are situated on the edge of textile design and fine arts. Currently Korolainen is preparing her artistic research for Aalto University. Her works can be found in the collections of Taidehalli or at the Design museum of Helsinki.

This exhibition is the first one in series of three. It is inspired by various artists from Raoul Dufy to Niki de Saint Phalle. Rugs, woven jacquards and printed fabrics create a home-like setting, where influences from the imaginary Paris of the 1920’s mixed up with the artist’s childhood scenery, Finland in the 1970’s and its bright colours and patterns. 

The exhibition is divided into two parts, that are shown together. Niki de Saint Phalle and Yves Klein inspire the The House of Play, where the artist plays with objects and finger painting. The House of Rain was influenced by Emil Nolde and Raoul Dufy, who encouraged the artist to throw herself in water exercises. The strongest impact on the exhibition were the 1920’s textile designs by Dufy, his spirit seems to inhabit the exhibition space. But without the other sources of inspiration; artists and other things discovered along the way, including bold prints from the 1970’s or renaissance still lifes, the exhibition would not be quite the same. The House of Play and Rain invites the spectators to observe what is original and what is borrowed.

The mystery behind the artistic process is revealed by presenting sketches, materials and tools behind the artworks. Artists rarely present their inspiration sources or personal creative processes. Les Arts Décoratifs of Paris was the first museum to show similar themes with the Dries Van Noten retrospective exhibition in 2014. Stories behind the creations are often those that are remembered.