Exhibition
Eija-Liisa Ahtila - Parasol unit
Parasol unit is delighted to present a major solo exhibition by the renowned Finnish film and video artist Eija-Liisa Ahtila. It includes three important moving image installations never before seen in England.
Ahtila is best known for works that concentrate on narratives in human life together with the relationships and primal emotions that underlie them. She describes her films as ‘human dramas’ because they play on the central themes of our existence, such as love, death, sexuality, the difficulty of communication, and individual identity – both its formation and disintegration. Her fictional stories emerge from interviews and extensive research, her own observation and memory. As Ahtila’s films are often shown on multiple screens or within complex installations, her stories unfold simultaneously within time and space, thereby creating a multi-layered experience that engages the viewer both physically and emotionally. Her masterfully crafted narratives, striking portrayal of characters and highly individual mode of expression have captured public interest and won much critical acclaim.
The exhibition consists of three installations; on the ground floor, Where is Where?, and on the first floor The Hour of Prayer and Fishermen/Etudes no.1. Please note that each viewing of Where is Where? starts on the hour.
Parental discretion is advised, as some may find the images in these films disturbing.
Eija-Liisa Ahtila (b. 1959 in Hämeenlinna, Finland), lives and works in Finland.
This exhibition is curated by Ziba Ardalan de Weck and is accompanied by a publication, co-published with Koenig Books.
In conjunction with the exhibition, Parasol unit will hold a one-off screening of Ahtila’s film Where is Where? This UK premiere will be held at the Prince Charles Cinema, Leicester Square, on Wednesday 14th April 2010 at 7pm. Parasol unit acknowledges the support of FRAME (Finnish Fund for Art Exchange) for this project.
This exhibition is kindly supported by The Finnish Institute, FRAME, and the Finnish Embassy.
