Finnish artist Jaakko Niemelä is showcasing his first exhibition in Vietnam, titled “Models of Disintegration,” at the APD Centre for Art Patronage and Development in Hà Nội. The exhibition features a compelling installation of video animations and drawings that delve into themes of physical and emotional breakdown.
“Models of Disintegration” includes works derived from Jaakko Niemelä’s Black Motor installation, exploring concepts of nostalgia and departure. Central to the exhibition is the theme of disintegration, reflecting on both the breakdown of structures and the emotional experiences of longing and loss.
Experience of loss
Jaakko Niemelä’s exploration of this theme began in 2002. His art provides a personal lens on emotions such as sadness, abandonment, and grief, offering a series of snapshots that mirror the current state of the world—marked by conflicts, cultural polarization, and climate change reshaping our realities.
Having experienced the loss of several relatives and friends, Jaakko Niemelä describes the feelings of grief as akin to an internal disintegration. “The experiences of loss have profoundly influenced my work,” he shares.
The concept of decomposition, which occurs universally, plays a significant role in the exhibition. It signifies irreversible changes brought about by humans or the passage of time and serves as a foundation for development, embodying both destructive and transformative forces necessary for creating new perspectives.
Themes in Jaakko Niemelä’s art
Born in Finland, Niemelä currently resides and works in Helsinki and Rauma. With decades of international exhibitions under his belt, his art addresses various themes rooted in personal experiences while resonating with universal conditions such as childhood, societal pressures, and the fear of loss.
Key topics in Niemelä’s work include destruction, catastrophe, and transience. His installations feature dramatic elements such as lighting, strong shadows, video animations, and raw industrial materials, creating a potent atmosphere.
Niemelä’s art also plays with scale, ranging from small models to towering constructions. His works can dominate their environment or subtly blend in, much like poetry projected onto the surface of a pond.
Practical informations about the exhibition
The “Models of Disintegration” exhibition is open from 11 AM to 5 PM, Tuesday to Sunday, until December 7 at the APD Centre for Art Patronage and Development, located at 1 Lương Yên Street in Hà Nội’s Hai Bà Trưng District.
Source: Viet Nam News
