Hirvitalo (Fin)
Hirvitalo, the Center of Contemporary Art Pispala, has won the Vuoden taideteko (Art project of the year) award. Hirvitalo is operated by the Pispala Cultural Association. Hirvitalo organises exhibitions of contemporary art that are free of charge for visitors and artists, at a former residential wooden building in the Pispala district in the city of Tampere.
The aim of the Art project of the year award is to highlight practitioners that have promoted the status and appreciation of contemporary art and have contributed to the field of art in a comprehensive, imaginative and diverse manner. This year, the award sought to draw special attention to the diversity of contemporary art and its presence in people's everyday lives.
"Hirvitalo is a charming art centre that organises truly diverse art activities, happily mixing professional art, amateur art, and other forms of culture. Hirvitalo makes contemporary art accessible and not so serious, which lowers the threshold for visitors to explore other areas of art," says the chair of the jury, Hannele Nyman.
Hirvitalo, the Center of Contemporary Art Pispala, has operated from an old wooden building in Tampere since 2006. Hirvitalo houses monthly changing exhibitions of contemporary art, various workshops, and other cultural and civic activities. As an exhibition space, Hirvitalo is free for both visitors and artists. The activities at Hirvitalo are linked to the local community in a diverse way, and the centre functions as a district hub and as a public living room for the residents.
Artists:
Sami Maalas
Valpuri Talvitie
Elina Ojanperä
Teemu Takatalo
Sebastian Boulter
Jonne Kauko
Leena Pukki
Mikko Korte
Asko Suominen
