Sandbox Theory, Preliminary Conclusions – Heli Konttinen
The Sandbox Theory project explores human ontology, specifically why we are the way we are. The project consists of two separate parts: the Research Center for Ordinary People and the artworks that present the results of the studies conducted there, which are displayed in this exhibition.
The starting point of the project is a reflection on the realization of children’s rights and the value placed on children in our culture. Konttinen believes that children’s well-being is directly proportional to the mental well-being of adults. After researching this, she decided to photograph responses to an interesting question regarding the obstacles to adult (and thus children’s) well-being. This also led to the idea of the researcher “playing” and attempting to prove her thesis in a manner similar to scientific research. Konttinen chose humor as the style for her works to ease the confrontation with the sometimes harsh content of her ideas, while also introducing a lighter level into the images.
In her photographs, Konttinen explores, among other things, the causes of various human traits such as inequality and intolerance, as well as the pressures created by psychological and evolutionary development. Her aim has not been to answer these questions but rather to suggest ideas for the sometimes strange foundations of human behavior. Konttinen has drawn on popular imagery, such as paintings and advertising images, as a basis for her works. Using familiar visual motifs and staged photographs, she is able to convey multiple levels regarding the nature of the phenomena addressed in the images. The photographs do not form a continuous series but rather act as fleeting glimpses into the vast spectrum of human activity.
Konttinen has been working on the project since 2003. Last summer, the exhibition was held in Tampere at the Mältinranta Art Center and at the Research Center for Ordinary People at Galleria Huuto in Helsinki. Previous works from the series have been displayed in a solo exhibition at Brinkkala Gallery in Turku in 2004.
Over the years, the project has been supported by the Finnish Arts Council, AVEK, Visek, TOP Foundation, the Arts Promotion Centre Finland, the Regional Arts Council of Southwest Finland, and the Finnish Cultural Foundation.
Heli Konttinen (born 1967, lives and works in Turku and Helsinki) graduated with a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of Art and Design Helsinki in 2009. She also graduated as a photographer (Artenomi) from the Turku Arts and Communication Institute in 1998. She is a member of the Muu ry association.
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