TAIDEKESKUS AHJO, hehku -tila: Ao3@3am

LOOP DETECTED
LAURA HANNA, H. KOSTIAINEN, SERAFINA SIMPUKKA
17.4. -5.5.2024, HEHKU -SPACE

The main theme of the Ao3@3am artist collective is growing up in popular culture. The works look deeply at the experiences of childhood and youth at the beginning of the 21st century and the influence of fan culture in the formation of identity.

Why do you have to be ashamed of things that are important to you? The collective questions the nullification of modern popular culture topics in the art field: especially the use of the term 'anime art' in a negative context in the teaching of visual arts and in the professional field, as well as the social pressure to be ashamed and cover up "unconventional" but meaningful interests.

The pixelated, glitched-out scenes represent Laura Hanna's own experience with anime culture as a child, when VHS tapes were borrowed from the library and SubTV showed Neon Genesis Evangelion and Swedish-language Sailor Moon. Magical stories opened up possibilities for creativity with their visually distinctive imagery. Laura Hanna ties the rugs traditionally by hand, using recycled threads. As inspiration, he has used classic 90s anime works and internet aesthetics. Ryijyt also contains intertextual references to works of popular culture.

Serafina Simpukka is a model, textile artist and ambassador of girl culture. The works are a tribute to fan fiction and especially to the emotions raised by the reading experience. Following in the footsteps of Elias Lönnrot, Serafina has collected pieces of text from fan fiction writers and readers worldwide, which have made the reader's heart flutter. The works are woven and decorated according to the emotional storm brought by each story.

H Kostiainen's jewelry pieces draw their inspiration from the peripheral product world, which is an integral part of fan culture. Your favorites are strongly highlighted by collecting related fan products, which also communicate to others about your identity: which tribe you belong to, who you support and how much this defines the person in question. Kostiainen is also responsible for exhibition architecture and exhibition curation.

Ao3@3am is a shared experience and state of mind from the teenage years to the present: getting lost in the Internet's seas to consume media related to popular culture and the emotions it raises, which is now celebrated through the means of contemporary art.

Collective Instagram:
Ao3@3am
Members participating in the exhibition:
https://www.laurahanna.net/ IG: Laura Hanna
https://hkostiainen.art/ IG: H Kostiainen
IG: Serafina Simpukka