• artist-in-residence index
• artist-in-residence 2007-2008 index
•    artist-in-residence period 2007-2008
•    events during the residence period 2007-2008
•    new collaborative exhibition -Sojourn in White-
•    CLARA VAN DEN BOSCH - THE NETHERLANDS
•    LISA HOVSEPIAN - USA
•    MIYUKI KIDO - JAPAN
•    MARI SHIELDS - THE NETHERLANDS/USA
•    ILSE VAN DEN BERK - THE NETHERLANDS
•    CLAIRE WATSON - AUSTRALIA
•    MEHRNAZ SALIMI - IRAN
•    DAN PRICE - USA
•    BEHROUZ RAE - IRAN
•    CASSIE THORNTON - USA
•    JEAN-CHRISTOPHE PIETTE - FRANCE
•    SARAH JANE PELL - AUSTRALIA
•    MARIE JULIE JACQUET - FRANCE

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE an international experience in the country side of Eastern Finland. It turns out that art centre Saksala ArtRadius in Haukivuori is a very attractive place for artists from all over the world. In winter 2007-2008 different artists from huge metropolis like New York (USA), Tehran (Iran), Kyoto (Japan), Paris (France), Amsterdam (the Netherlands) Victoria near Melbourne (Australia), and small historic cities like Delft (the Netherlands) and Oyonnax (France) have opted for the rural area of Finland to stay and to develop their artistic work during 2 or 3 months. They choose particular for a residence in the country side to get involved with a part of nature, culture, live and society they do not find in their home place.

Staying in winter time in a small place like Haukivuori (2300 inhabitants) in an art centre 6 km from the centre of the village is a very interesting experience for each of the artists. They came in the darkness and the cold of the winter, and in a Finnish society which is complete different than in summer time. In Saksala they are finding a way of living, related to surviving.
First there is the culture shock, even they have prepared themselves very well in their home country.
Second there is the silence, the emptiness and the very short days.
To start to work takes about one or two weeks with looking around, making contacts and discover the artistic possibilities. Almost every artist has had a very hard time in these first weeks. No shops in the neighborhood, planning to go outside, preparing a walk are conditions which are not usual for artists from big cities. In this area you can be lost, because all trees and all the snow are similar for urban people.

In the art centre the melting pot of cultures is unbelievable inspiring for each of the artists. Just in winter they have to organize their live in together and find an own place to work. The discussions about the work, the society, the art and the future are important points in this process. The unique art book library is an important source of information and investigation to start or to develop the artistic process.

The contacts with art organizations like Etelä-Savon Taidetoimikunta, Mikkelin Taidemuseo, Savonlinna Riihisari, galleries and art schools to introduce the international artists in the art society of the region are effective. The contacts with the artists in the region are still in contrast to the organization level. It would be very interesting for both groups, national (regional) and international artists to keep close contact. An exchange of the ideas, the work and the vision will inspire all.

The artist-in-residence program of Saksala ArtRadius has been supported by the Arts Council of Finland.

Every artist has got/will have a presentation of the working period in Saksala ArtRadius.
The result is a very interesting collection of exhibitions and installations of young artists.
In the AllaprimA MuseuM of the art centre where during the last months presentations of:
- the project FUTURE INUNCORPORATED of Cassie Thornton,
- installations of the PAPER WALL and ATELIER of Miyuki Kido,
- installations with CABBAGES and POTATOES of Claire Watson
- an exhibition with the PAINTINGS of Ilse van den Berk.
- the collaborative project SOJOURN IN WHITE by Ilse van den Berk, Behrouz Rae and Claire Watson (curator),
-the first part of the WOOD/INSTALLATION symposium in the LABYRINTH of Behrouz Rae and Fereshte Moosavi
- the SPEARED MEMORIES installations in the attic and basement of Behrouz Rae.
- installations and drawings of Marie Julie Jacquet.

At the end of July the results of the residence period of Jean-Christophe Piette (France) and Sabrina Sit (Singapore) will be exhibit in the AllaprimA MuseuM.