My cultural experience

Roope Kiljunen

Emotion in motion

8.2.2017

I went to see Juha Metso’s Emotion in motion art exhibition in Lappeenranta. I didn’t have many expectations for the installation. I knew it was comprised of photographs but I haven’t seen Juha Metso’s former works, or in fact heard of him. The premise of the installation seemed interesting so I went to see it. When I first saw the pictures i wasn’t terribly impressed. Most of them were just of ordinary people. I mean they were good but not the level of art i was expecting. After giving them a better look I started to see their value as art. The photos told a tale, they presented a wide variety of emotions and gave a good insight into the story behind the photo. What had happened and what will happen.

Many of the pictures were from third world countries showing happy people despite poor conditions. There were also pictures of musicians during concerts which depicted their passion for music very well. The smiles were quite contagious so the pictures did improve my mood quite a bit. There were some less joyful pictures as well. Especially in the Ice stay gallery. They had a dark wintery setting with a scent of death, dread and an overall grim atmosphere. Presenting people lying or sitting in snow. They in a weird way balanced the installation as a whole. More comical works could be found as well. One photograph of Putin scratching his nose that was surrounded with propaganda t-shirts was really humorous.

The name Emotion in motion is fitting for the installation. The photos are not still. They are part of a story that is happening with people living and feeling within. My own enjoyment was high. It wasn’t boring as i had feared instead giving me new viewpoint on art.