“Rat and other photographs” by Leena Neuvonen
Back to the basic values

Helsinki (17.03.1998 - Juhani Artto) The opening ceremony of the celebrated Finnish photographer Leena Neuvonen took place this afternoon at the Gallery Valööri in Helsinki.

In their first comments the visitors emphasised Neuvonen’s return to the basic values: humanity, simplicity, beauty and solidarity between all human creatures. All this she presents as a deep contrast to the emptiness of the commercial trends, so powerful in the 1990s in Finland and elsewhere.

The artist herself seemingly enjoyed the noisy opening ceremony where she was surrounded by her numerous friends, admirers and colleagues. As usual, the arts collectors did not miss the opportunity to be among the first ones to see Neuvonen’s newest achievements.

In June Neuvonen will present her photographs in a group exhibition in Asikkala and in autumn in another group exhibition in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique.

So, for Neuvonen, 1998 seems to be the year of le grand retour: back to Africa, back to her rural roots and more than anything else, back to the basic values.

No doubt, her example will have an important positive impact on the present Finnish arts scene and help it find ways out of  the temptation to win large audiences and money-loaded supporters with superficial tricks and populism.

With her photographs, Neuvonen proves that the type of globalisation preached by world’s political and financial leaders is not the only one. There is an alternative type of globalisation. Its starting points are love and care, and they lead to more love and care.

Neuvonen asks in her press statement: “What is a rat?” A good question! The same question asked by each and one of us exposes the answer, doesn’t it.