9.-19.5.

Opening ceremony: Thursday 9.5. 18-21
Opening hours: 10.-19.5. 14-18

‘Mermaids tale’ is the first exhibition to present the artistic collaboration between the Norwegian artist Natalie Seifert Eliassen, who works in Oslo, and the Polish artist ‘to kosien’, who works in Helsinki.

The central element of the exhibition is the video performance “Get Wet and Sparkle!”, which tells a story about flexible gender and sexuality, referring to the colors of the queer flag and the changing nature of seawater. Artists mesmerize local mermaids who live peacefully in a harmonious liquid underwater world where all sexualities are respected and welcomed. Through the movement of large textile patchwork and reciting spells, we learn the ways of sea life. The themes of the work deal with sexuality, boundaries, pleasure and freedom.

The work was filmed on the beach of Vartiosaari in Helsinki. In the exhibition, the artists also present a textile patchwork created together for the video work. In addition to this, the show features individually produced sculptural works by artists.

Natalie Seifert Eliassen, born in 1993, is a Norwegian artist who lives and works in Oslo. She works with textiles, costumes and performances dealing with inclusive sexuality, femme symbols and clitoris awareness. He works with mistakes, embracing and not eliminating them in the artistic process. Eliassen graduated with a master’s degree in art in the spatial and temporal art training program of the Helsinki Academy of Fine Arts in spring 2023. IG: @nataliese

‘to kosie’ is a Polish-born visual artist who lives in Helsinki. Her work examines underwater life from a queer-feminist perspective, exploring concepts of fluidity, curiosity, constant interaction and change. ‘to kosie’ builds fluid compositions that manifest as mixed media sculptures and installations. His video works function as video performances in which the camera actively participates in the action. The artist’s recent production includes poems and musical compositions, which are rooted in theoretical research and the artist’s personal sensory experiences.

IG: @to_kosie