“Apostle” – Juhani Koivumäki

“Apostle” is a symbolic media artwork about ideology or religion, which takes on new forms under the influence of ever-changing societal needs and institutions.

According to the Caucasian-born mystic G.I. Gurdjieff (1866-1949), many biblical texts and sacraments were originally meant to be interpreted directly and literally. Gurdjieff emphasized the strong differences in perspective and culture between the early first century Palestine and the more collectivist value systems of the present day. According to him, Christianity has changed in its meanings over time as it became an officially accepted religion. In the time of Jesus, blood was a sacred element that contained part of the bearer’s soul. Gurdjieff believed that the disciples shared part of the Messiah’s legacy as Jesus sensed his impending death. Whether Gurdjieff’s theory is true or not, it still offers an interesting perspective.

I found it significant to highlight the situation mentioned above. Da Vinci’s painting of the Last Supper represents the common image of Jesus’s final moments. I believe that this image and Christianity in general are connected to many conflicting associations, which have been shaped, among other factors, by political influences after Jesus’s death.

Thanks to all the sponsors (Avek, Paulon Foundation, and the Finnish Art Association) and the Central Pori Parish.

Juhani Koivumäki (b. 1981 in Hämeenlinna) lives and works in Helsinki. He graduated with a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the Academy of Fine Arts, Helsinki in 2008. Koivumäki’s short films have been shown in Finland and around the world since 2002: Helsinki, Tampere, Rauma, Kassel, Paris, Riga, Lisbon, Berlin, Budapest, Banja Luka, Phnom Penh, Manchester, Sydney, among others. He has held solo and group exhibitions both in Finland and abroad. His solo exhibitions outside Finland have been in Sydney, Brisbane, Berlin, and Canberra. Koivumäki has conducted workshops in video and photography with children and young people in Hämeenlinna, Berlin, and Phnom Penh. Additionally, he has been responsible for projections for two plays and has written and directed alternative music videos.

Translated with ChatGPT