r e a d m e ( l a n i e )

cult24

2012-01-16T14:57:00.000Z

This is pretty much just for those who understand Finnish. But hey, what's wrong with a little challenge? (whatever you do though, don't use google translate...)

Klikkaa tästä.

invitation

2012-01-12T18:03:00.001Z

Right, time to use your imagination and start enjoying some virtual drinks and snacks in this virtual private viewing.

New exhibition opened today in BE'19's virtual gallery space.

Welcome!

For anyone wondering about the title;

Mörköjä keskellä kirkasta päivää is a Finnish saying literally translating to seeing Ghosts or Monsters in the middle of the bright day. Mörkö being a name for a monster used for scaring children (for example, anyone who's seen the scary dude in Moomin, his name is Mörkö). Something like the Bogeyman. The saying basically means imagining scary things from nothing.

thanatophobia

2012-01-08T12:03:00.000Z

evarcha culicivora

2012-01-02T21:58:00.002Z

what manner of man is this,

2012-01-02T12:05:00.001Z

or creature is it, in resemblance of man?

here we go again

2011-12-29T21:54:00.000Z

” […] that use of parody, absurdity, pranks, slippery identities, deceit and beguiling
humour in the face of serious political struggle. These are all characteristics of the Trickster
[…] He/she/it - for its gender is often undecided - exists on the borderline between life and
art, the selfish and the communal, the real and the imagined, soul and body. The spirit of
disorder, the shape shifting trickster adds chaos to order to create a whole. Lying to tell the
truth, the trickster’s sly mischief heals the world.”
(Jordan, J, In the Footnotes of Library Angels: A Bi(bli)ography of Insurrectionary Imagination)

studying...but what?

2011-12-27T20:15:00.000Z

'tis the season

2011-12-23T11:55:00.000Z

The season when I'm desperately trying to work, but that one very strangely shaped present under the tree next to me is... so... distracting!

Merry Christmas to all, here are some cards I had time to scan before sending them off.

say hello to boo

2011-12-04T12:02:00.000Z

A snap shot (screen shot) of what's coming up in January among other things.

I have to say I wasn't prepared for it to be so different making art in Finland again. But I suppose changing scenery, even if it means going back to your home country, is always that - different (exiting strange scary fun).

jenny

2011-11-26T22:06:00.000Z

Today we celebrate Little Christmas in Finland. So Merry Little Christmas.

Iv'e been celebrating the day realising that the 10th of January is very soon when you have an exhibition to put together. So there are some exiting times coming up.

Anyhow, the reason for this post is that I found some photographs from a project three years ago. Above; meet Jenny, one of the dearest friends I have. I also found a picture of her being extremely ill in Berlin. And yes, she will probably hate my guts, but it's a risk I'm willing to take (let's not forget she made a whole project about my hair). And Berlin is where she has run away now as well.

Thankfully she has started blogging. Because she is awesome. www.jennymatilainen.blogspot.com

totally lost at e minor

2011-10-11T09:14:00.000+01:00

One of my favourite websites of all time, Lost at E Minor, has kindly invited me as a guest writer. And I am very exited to be contributing!
If you haven't checked it out, it's about time! Art, design, music, food, fashion, architecture (...you name it...) from all around the globe!

Click here to find Roadkill featured on their awesome page.

roadkill

2011-10-07T18:42:00.000+01:00

Long time, no update. This however does not mean that I haven't been doing anything, but quite the opposite. It's been three years since I spent an autumn in Finland, and I have to say; it's nice to be reminded of how charming my home country can be, in it's own... special way.

Being surrounded by art and artists of all kind, both at work and spare time, has definitely added to this inspiration boom I'm experiencing. A lot of people seem to be gathering food and getting ready to hide from the winter. I am painting, drawing, sculpting, dressing up and taking pictures like there is no tomorrow. So now you know where I'm hiding.

And here is a pic from a Finland inspired project; Roadkill. Yes, I was running around the forest dressed as a rabbit. And a deer, of course. And I don't think it needs explanation, at least to anyone who's ever driven a car in Scandinavia.

multi-tasking

2011-09-18T10:06:00.000+01:00

On the 30th September, whilst I will be attending a private view in Finland,

my painting will attend another one in England.

Tervetuloa - Välkommen - Welcome

ka-pow!

2011-08-11T14:10:00.002+01:00

On this Saturday, the 13th August, I will be running comic book strip workshops in the Pop Up Gallery in Chatham. Whether you have never drawn in your entire life, or you do it everyday, feel free to join! The workshop is all about getting started in the basics of building up a dynamic comic book page/strip, creating cool characters, and most of all - finding your own style. If you have been drawing (a lot) before, this is an opportunity to practice on something specific, like sound-effects or angles, and just have fun!

The first workshop starts at 11am and goes on until 1.30pm.
The second workshop is from 2pm to 4.30pm.

They are only 5 pounds each (most of the workshops are ten pounds) and all you have to bring is creativity. And your own markers if you like, but they will be provided.

To book, simply call 0755 1037 695 or email uca.popupgallery@gmail.com.
Any questions, feel free to pop me an email at melanie.orenius@gmail.com. I won't bite.

private viewing

2011-08-05T22:41:00.000+01:00

The Private View at the Pop Up Gallery was a success! Good work Marta and Sebastian who have put their heart and soul into that place!

I was absolutely overwhelmed by all lovely people. So once again, the Sixteen thank you!

paint

2011-07-27T21:54:00.000+01:00

It has been a long time since I held a brush. And as I am a big fan of using very cliché comparisons; it does feel like I am reunited with an old lover. All that awkwardness, the strange yet familiar, and the new found spark. What else is there to compare it with?
Here is a detail of a new painting (yet to be finished). And there seems to be more coming.

we did it

2011-07-24T12:13:00.001+01:00

Me, my camera, and all fellow students. Congratulations to everyone and thank you for all these years of blood, sweat, tears, sugar, spice and everything nice!

It's been an Honour (in Fine Arts).

POP UP

2011-07-21T16:28:00.000+01:00

popping up soon

2011-07-15T15:50:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was spent in Chatham. Drilling, hammering, eating, drinking, measuring, taping, drinking, arranging. The UCA Pop Up Gallery is looking more and more awesome by the day. Stay tuned for opening date, and exiting news about some very interesting and innovative workshops that will be popping up as well.

And The Sixteen is finally up again. I had almost missed people asking "Is that really you? In all of them? No, really, not this one... It is!?"

the envy sisters

2011-07-02T14:54:00.000+01:00

queen of manipulation

2011-06-25T21:07:00.000+01:00

sixteen thank you's

2011-06-23T14:28:00.004+01:00

The Sixteen keeps getting amazing feedback from all sorts of directions since the degree show. And I would like to say THANK YOU x16 to everyone!

(someone had straightened the mental patient during the exhibition

week, which is quite funny, since I thought I nailed it

pretty well so it would stay wonky.

Note: it is not supposed to be straight...)

For anyone who didn't get a chance/is interested in seeing the video, the installation will be showing in the UCA Pop Up Gallery in Chatham, Kent within the next few weeks onward ( I will update as soon as I know the timetable). There will be a great collection from fellow graduating students as well, so I really recommend a visit!

And here is a thirty second sneeky peeky taster preview of the video itself.

sunday

2011-06-20T12:45:00.000+01:00

Q: What does a graduating Fine Artist as myself do on a Sunday?

A: Well make superhero posters, of course.

when you don't have other means of expression

2011-06-14T22:16:00.000+01:00

I will continue stretching my skin into a canvas.

THE SIXTEEN

2011-05-21T14:42:00.001+01:00

Finally; after sixteen characters, sixteen photographs, sixteen videos,

and what feels like sixteen years, it is done.