The Generation 2023 exhibition offers a rich insight into the world of more than 50 young artists. The Amos Rex exhibition takes place every three years.
Faces change at a breathtakingly fast pace in the video. The characters are recognisable as human, but sometimes their skin is covered by a metallic shell, sometimes their eyes are unnaturally large and sometimes they look like aliens. Some of the faces are almost perfect, in keeping with classical beauty ideals.
Identity changes in the blink of an eye into something else, just like in the real world today.
The face has been tailored by artificial intelligence to provide increasingly realistic visual experiences.
AI and filters blur the laws of biology and physics
According to Juho Lehiö, the use of artificial intelligence and various filters that have become commonplace makes it possible to extend one’s identity beyond the laws of biology and physics.
– Perhaps this indicates that individual freedom and diversity have increased, and that one’s identity can be represented in many different ways. For example, you may get the feeling that it would be a good thing for a pig to grow wings on its back.
However, the encounter between genuine and inauthentic is a complex equation that also has its downsides.
– Of course, it shows that we have moved towards a more self-centered approach. However, it is not only a matter of good or bad, but there is also a middle ground that is closer to the truth.
The *Face: to put on a face, to remove a face* video features faces that Juho Lehiö doesn’t necessarily want to assign a gender to, and the examination or questioning of gender identity also comes up in the Generation 2023 exhibition.
– I believe that the discussion atmosphere has opened the possibility that gender identity can be studied and that one can think about how I really feel. Of course, identity in general is an important thing for many young people, because it is built at that time and it is current and present in everyone’s life.
Death can also be dealt with in a comforting way
– It’s exciting to see what can be created faster and how it can be controlled. I’ve already tested artificial intelligence a bit and maybe one day I’ll use it for texturing, Miettinen, who calls himself a digital sculptor, thinks.
– The digital work process would certainly be faster, but hand-drawn has its own, more sensitive atmosphere. The digital end result might also be too perfect: I think it’s good that the trace of the drawing and the old lines remain visible.
The theme of *Illan tullen* is death, and according to Lindfors, the installation was a natural choice for realizing such a theme.
– Since it is a darker subject, the installation enabled a softer, more intimate and private space. If the videos had only been projected on the wall, the end result could have been cold.
For Linfdfors, it was also important to approach a challenging theme.
– Death is presented in news articles through euthanasia in perhaps a harsher and more depressing perspective. Comfort was important to me.
A beautiful surface hides secrets
In addition to works that utilize modern technology, the exhibition for young people, which is organized every three years, this time also offers plenty of traditional, performing painting art. One reason for this may be that the corona period meant for many people staying at home and making art alone.
In any case, the art of painting has not disappeared from the repertoire of young artists anywhere.
– My works are usually colorful and have a lot of beautiful elements, but the atmosphere might be something else entirely. I hope that the viewer will find elements in my paintings that are relevant in his life at any given moment – whether it’s about beauty, anxiety or symbolism related to death, says Suvi Haapaniemi.
The Generation 2023 exhibition continues until the end of August*.*
*What thoughts did the story evoke? You can discuss the topic on 15.4. until 11 p.m.*