ART CENTER AHJO, HIILI-ROOM; MINNA SORALUOMA

MINNA SORALUOMA - SCULPTED ROMANTICISM 26.3.-13.4.2025

The material for the exhibition consists of the long-circulating Harlequin pocket books.

On the artist's workbench, dark men with sharply defined features have gathered. Most of them are multi-billionaires or sheiks, whose deep velvet voices sweep you off your feet. The glow of emeralds might overshadow the sparkle of diamonds, but not the magic of the nights. Occasionally, a limousine softly stops beside you, or a heart-wrenching pain rises on the table.

In the exhibition, the world of books might appear more simplified. In addition to luxurious splendor, the plot may reveal tangible pits, or everything might explode in front of your eyes. Romantic entertainment has accompanied many people's growth environments. Few are those who have no connection to these books. As physical objects, they are becoming rarer, though their world still thrives in mainstream fiction and TV series.

Each artwork is based on a single 18x11 cm Harlequin romance novel. Soraluoma excavates the layers of the book and carves out its hidden poetic essence.

Minna Soraluoma has studied at the Lahti Institute of Design and the University of Lapland. Her focus often lies in areas that are overlooked, and the materials she uses often have their own history. This exhibition is Soraluoma’s first in Joensuu.

The exhibition opening will be on Tuesday 25.3.2025 klo: 18-20.