BUILDER’S MARKINGS – Johannes and Rafael Heikkilä
Builder’s Markings is an exhibition by Johannes Heikkilä and Rafael Heikkilä that explores the naturality/”unnaturalness” of human-made traces and the landscape of the mind through constructions. The use of building materials and prints made with car tires reflect humanity’s relationship with nature—how we continuously impact our environment through the marks we leave behind. While humans are a part of nature, our relationship with it often manifests as a destructive power dynamic. This power dynamic—operating in both directions—is a key factor in shaping personal experience and identity. Humans shape their environment, but they are also born from and within it.
Human traces can be seen as flaws in nature, yet they are also a kind of species signature. There is an inherent fascination with these traces, though the climate crisis has undeniably influenced how we perceive and interpret them. Whereas human actions were once primarily examined from an anthropocentric perspective, today it is more meaningful to see humans as part of a greater whole. This shift in perspective alters the significance of the traces we leave behind, integrating them differently into the broader flow of signs and meanings.
Johannes Heikkilä’s primary image-making methods include woodcuts and woodblock printing, as well as drawing. His approach involves striving for asceticism, reduction, and simplification, making the methods and tools conceptually integral to the work. The creative process itself is a central part of his artistic practice.
Rafael Heikkilä’s artistic methods align with the fundamental principles of sculpture. His enthusiasm for various sculptural techniques has led him to focus on sculpture and installation art. Installation allows for breaking free from limitations and fully utilizing spatial elements.
- Johannes Heikkilä (b. 1986) is a visual artist based in Rovaniemi. With a background in painting, his artistic practice primarily revolves around printmaking. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Helsinki in 2019 with a degree in printmaking. His works have been exhibited in numerous exhibitions in Finland and internationally.
- Rafael Heikkilä (b. 1996) is a visual artist currently studying at Art Academy of TUAS, with an expected graduation in 2024. Alongside his studies, he has participated in numerous group exhibitions, artistic projects, and public art commissions.
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