Opinion|Reader’s opinion
The activities of the “school” led by Timothy Persons have not exclusively brought positive visibility to Finnish art.
Aalto University and the Helsinki School, an export organization for photography that has long operated in connection with the University of Art and Design, has raised public questions about both financial connections and harassment of students. It is desirable that Aalto University investigates the matter thoroughly.
In connection with the Helsinki School, we must also talk directly about the use of power. Our Academy of Finland, a research project funded by the Academy of Finland (2005–2009), examined the internationalization of Finnish photography and video art at the turn of the millennium. Helsinki School was one of our research targets.
In the light of the research results of our project, it is obvious that the activities of the “school” led by Timothy Persons have not exclusively brought positive visibility to Finnish art, such as Elina Brotherus, Sandra Kantanen and Jyrki Parantainen. in its opinion paper (HS 15.2.).
Analyzes based on extensive research and interview material from our research team revealed that the gatekeeping implemented within the Helsinki School has produced polarization, hierarchy and confrontation both within photography education and more broadly throughout the Finnish photography field. In Helsingin Sanomat 17.2. published on Helsinki School opinion writing anonymity even tells of a culture of fear.
Long Play online magazine the issue of sexual harassment raised by the Commission is also relevant to the exercise of power. Educational institutions need to develop the identification and prevention of harassment. In a safe learning environment, it must be assumed that it is not unclear to anyone what harassment is.
Leena-Maija Rossi
professor, docent, art history and gender studies
Sari Karttunen
docent, cultural policy
Anna-Kaisa Rastenberger
professor, presentation practices
Kati Kivinen
doctor of philosophy, art historian, curator
Juha Suonpää
docent, photographic artist
The reader’s opinions are the speeches written by HS’s readers, selected and delivered by HS’s editorial staff. You can leave a comment or read the principles of writing at www.hs.fi/kirjtamielipidekirjoitus/.
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