Just wanted to log in to say hi! This month I have been writing my forthcoming book at an artist residency located in a magical village called Ii. I truly believe time is different here. Different than anywhere else I have ever been. Kind of kinder, or something ❤️ Thank you KulttuuriKauppila for showing me so much love during all these years, and treating me like one of your own. It has always been good to be here. ⭐️
/peki
P.S. What you can see from image 2 onwards, are spreads from the German magazine Eltern. They published a six-page portfolio story of me and Astrid 🥳
Aki-Pekka Sinikoski is a Helsinki-based photographer and author whose best-known works include Finnish Teens (2011), Last Machos (2016), I Love Dogs (2020) and New Ghosts (2011–2058). Sinikoski often describes his artistic photo production methods as lengthy and time consuming. According to Sinikoski this is because of the exceptional scope of the documentary series but also due to his wish to capture the passing of time. He is not looking for decisive moments but rather the stagnant feeling just after these moments.
Sinikoski has graduated as Master of Art from the Department of Media at Aalto University, Finland. His major subject is from the Aalto University’s Institution of Photography. His work has been exhibited in numerous exhibitions both in Finland and abroad, and his work has been published by e.g. The Guardian and Vogue Italia.
Change and identity are reoccurring themes in Sinikoski’s work. He works in multiple different mediums, and the medium selects itself through the aim and content of the project at hand.
‘’I love both words and photographs. One of the biggest differences between the two mediums is the way that they are perceived by the observer. In a text the story is formed a word and a sentence at a time, and what is said in the next sentence does not exist until it is read. Photograph on the other hand reveals immediately some sort of general view, which gets more detailed the longer you spend observing the photo. Photograph also has always a somewhat strong relationship to reality,’’ Sinikoski explains.
This residency period was Sinikoski’s third time working in Ii. His previous visits were in 2015 and 2016.
‘’I feel very comfortable here in Ii and KulttuuriKauppila, it’s a good place to be. In the mornings the neighbour’s rooster greets me when it hears my footsteps approaching. Life is calm and simple, but at the same time I feel that the place is almost magical. Few nights ago I finished writing late at night, and went out for a stroll. By coincidence I ended up jamming with local musicians in the neighbourhood, who I met during my previous residency period in Ii. In between the jamming we went outside to just talk and admire the magical Northern Lights illuminating the sky above us. It was an unforgettable night that just happened, without any plan.’’
During his residency period in Ii, Sinikoski worked on a sound installation, his photographs and two different book projects.
‘’The first book project is continuation to my children’s book ‘Under the Moon‘ (Kuun valossa / Under månen)which was published last year. The other book is related to the ‘New Ghost’ photography series, which I have been working on with my daughter Astrid since 2011. The series has been shot around the world, including here in Ii in 2016 when I was here in a residency together with my daughter. KulttuuriKauppila has become a dear place to me, where I have found both like-minded people as well as the peace and quiet to listen to myself. During my residencies I have managed to get a lot of work done, but at the same time also take my artistic work forward, even to new directions.’’
TRE is one of the coolest spots in Helsinki right now with their interest in art/design/fashion/etc. So I’m really happy they wanted to do this story about the photo series we have been working with my daughter since 2013. And no worries, no Finnish skills needed, the interview is in English. 🙂
Peace & Love, Aki & Astrid
Hello there! I will be working at an art recidency here in Northern Finland in July. The first part I will work here alone. The last week I will be working together with my daughter on this photo series we are making together. It’s called Ghosts Watching Over Me.
I started to take these photos when my daughter was only four. I think this series is dealing with the relationship between father and daughter and their fears. When my daughter was younger she was afraid of totally other things than today when she is already eight years old.
We are really proud of this photo finished today. We hope it is important for you as well. Take care, you are important!
Bye bye Endless Summer! My exhibition in Ii is now wrapped and gone but memories and photos will stay. I have got so much positive feedback from this exhibition that it really gives me a boost for my forthcoming projects.
When I was in Ii I was stopped on the street by locals who were inspired by my photos. The most absurd situation was when I went for the first time to Jäppisen Baari (local bar) after the opening and before I had even entered the place one wonderful man shouted “PEKIIIIII!” and wanted to shake my hand and thank me for the exhibition.
And even now when I’m back in Helsinki, some people have called me just to talk with me about the pictures. Several people has also told me that they have never seen an exhibition like this in Ii, as all the time they have walked next to the exhibition area there has been people looking at my pictures. So probably I don’t exaggerate if I say the exhibition was a success also from the perspective of community art 😀
For my part I would like to say THANK YOU!!!
It was truly a pleasure!
XOXO, Peki
P.S. These photos are taken in Ii between 2am 4am during one night I tried to work with Photoshop. But probably you can imagine why I couldn’t stay inside staring at the computer all night 😉
Selfie + my just released book. –O’boy that is definitely a true 2 in 1 wonder!!!
During the last summer I worked as a guest artist at KulttuuriKauppila to arrange my Endless Summer exhibition in Ii. Now KulttuuriKauppila has published a small photo book (68 pages) of my works. I have planned to take a beautiful photo of the book to promote it here but the last weeks I have been too busy with this triangle of photo shootings, meetings, and a place called Photoshop. So, the beautiful, glossy photos of my book are coming later; first we go with this 2 in 1 snapshot wonder.
Here is a deal for you. No matter if you work with events, magazines, zines, museums, galleries, art blogs or other “culture things” I want to give you a copy of this small book of mine. Limited stock. First come, first served. So do yourself a favour and let your fingers guide you to the address sinikoski.com. Click “Contact” and drop me a message why you should get a free copy of this book and I will get back to you. smile emoticon
When I was working in Ii I was blessed to meet Sanna Koivisto. She is not only one of the kindest persons out there, but also a great artist who has done more public monuments in Finland than any other artist. So probably you can imagine what it means for me when she goes and writes me this one!!!!
More information here: www.sinikoski.com
ENDLESS SUMMER is the exhibition in public spaces in Ii. Because I’m so super happy with the result you can find it now online as well: www.sinikoski.com
Oh dear, sano John Deere. It’s been hectic up here. First of all: yesterday’s opening for Endless Summer was a blast! For me it felt like half of the village was there. I’m super happy with the result and pretty damn proud of the exhibition. I’ll write you more about that later.
Yesteday, before my own exhibition opening I had also a great workshop for 15 photographers from all over Finland and today I’m working as judge for Valto Pernu Photo Maraton. On their Facebook page you can find my latest interview made by YLE Oulu.
So yes, it has been an insanely busy week but LIFE IS GOOD!
Photos by Antti “SUPER DUDE” Leinonen
#EndlessSummer #MyPeople #Ii
