Monday – Päivi Koskinen
Päivi Koskinen’s Monday exhibition explores everyday worries, people’s routine behaviors, and societal expectations. The endless jungle of possibilities makes us question whether we have chosen the right job and partner and whether the desire for a family hinders personal and professional growth. At the same time, society pushes and pressures us to make these choices earlier and with the greater good in mind. This raises the question: does this lead to increased happiness or unhappiness?
Through the allegory of water, the photographs capture that emotional rollercoaster moment when a person seeks either emotional release or a mood boost. In that instant, they pause and wash away the worries accumulated throughout the day—while still being unable to escape who they are and what they leave behind.
Koskinen’s works exist on the border between reality and fiction. The images aim to address broader social phenomena; they are, in a way, portraits of our time. “I am interested in a documentary approach. I have sought out subjects who have selflessly connected with the project,” Koskinen states. “We are often too busy to stop and reflect on where we are truly headed. Do we dare to follow our dreams, or do we simply wash them away from our minds?”
Half of the photographs were taken in Finland and the other half in economically struggling Spain. “People all over Europe dream of the same things, but in Spain, even finding or keeping a job is currently a challenge, not to mention the working conditions.” “In Finland, youth marginalization is once again a topic of discussion, while securing a desirable place in education is becoming increasingly difficult.”
Päivi Koskinen (b. 1977) is a photographic artist working in Helsinki and Barcelona. Her work has been featured in numerous group and solo exhibitions in Finland, Spain, and across Europe. The Monday series was selected for From Reality to Desire, an exhibition showcasing emerging talents at the international photography festival PhotoEspaña in 2010. Additionally, works from the series have been exhibited at Host Gallery in London, Korjaamo Gallery in Helsinki, Rajatila Gallery in Tampere, and Charlottenborg Art Hall in Copenhagen. Simultaneously with the exhibition at Poriginal Gallery, works from the Monday series are also displayed at Helsinki City Hall in the Flush exhibition, as part of the World Design Capital 2012 project and the Helsinki Photography Biennial.
The exhibition has been supported by the Finnish Cultural Foundation Uusimaa and the Arts Council of Finland.
This text was created with AI assistance.