Are you a person interested in art, the environment, and future issues but working outside the art field and want your voice to be heard? We are seeking 5–10 adult Idea Smiths from diverse backgrounds and experiences to join the Learning Forum, the Think Tank, at the Art Realm ’24 Biennial.

Selected Idea Smiths will participate in a collective gathering of Idea Smiths at Hämeenlinna Art Museum on Friday, June 14, 2024, from 1 pm to 3 pm. Idea Smiths adopt artworks from the exhibition and produce their own discourse on the piece. Each Idea Smith will receive a reward of 200 euros along with a Museum Card (value 79 euros). Apply to become an Idea Smith by April 21, 2024!

We hope that the Idea Smiths have an interest in art and a desire to express their own perspectives related to the exhibition’s artworks and themes. Each Idea Smith is encouraged to define and produce their perspective however suits them. No previous expertise in art or art-making is required – a curious and open-minded attitude is enough!

What is the Art Realm?

Hämeenlinna Art Museum, Tampere Art Museum, and Lahti Visual Arts Museum Malva produce the Art Realm as part of their regional art museum work. The biennial visual arts exhibition, held every two years, alternates between different provinces. The first Art Realm Biennial exhibition takes place at Hämeenlinna Art Museum, in Hämeenlinna and Kanta-Häme from June 14th to September 8th, 2024, giving future power to art and artists. In the artist open call, we asked visual artists to consider what our world will be like in 2050. At the same time, we hoped for visions and perspectives on the future Art Realm, where art holds power. The selected works address the significance of art amidst the crises shaking the Earth. Artists’ perspectives balance between dystopian and hopeful futures.

Art Realm Think Tank

The Art Realm Think Tank is a learning forum where the perspectives of the exhibition’s artworks on the future, the environment, power, and identity provide a springboard for discussion among artists, the exhibition audience, and thought smiths recruited through an open call. The Think Tank meeting will be held at Hämeenlinna Art Museum’s Lohrmann building. The day’s facilitators are the editor of the exhibition publication, the Art Realm News, and learning producer, who will guide the thought smiths in exploring the content of the exhibition’s works and adopting their own pieces.

Idea Smiths

Idea Smiths adopt artworks from the exhibition, upon which they produce their own statement as a visual or written piece, such as an image, text, video statement, or poem. Each Idea Smith’s personality and thoughts are allowed to shine in their creations, and the method of creation does not need to be familiar to the creator. The art museum provides Idea Smiths with the necessary tools and support for their chosen method of work.

The content produced by Idea Smiths will be freely accessible on the Art Realm’s website and social media.

Timeline

• The application form for Idea Smiths opens on Friday, March 29th, and closes on Sunday, April 21st, 2024, at 6:00 PM.
• Selection results will be announced via email during week 18 (April 29th–May 3rd).
• The Think Tank event will convene in Hämeenlinna Art Museum’s Lohrmann building workshop space on June 14th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
• Idea Smiths have the opportunity to receive assistance with their work at Hämeenlinna Art Museum or via remote connections. The Art Realm News editor will be available for text-based works during week 25 (June 17th–21st), and the learning producer for visual works during week 27 (July 1st–5th).
• Finished works are to be submitted by either July 10th or August 9th, as agreed upon. Works can be provided to the Art Realm ‘24 Biennial earlier.
• Later in the summer, the Art Realm ‘24 Biennial and the work of Idea Smiths culminate in a large, open learning forum held at Hämeenlinna Art Museum. The day will include talks by the exhibition artists and other Art Realm fellow travellers, such as Idea Smiths. The exact date of the open learning forum will be announced later.

What are we looking for?

• You are interested in the themes of the Art Realm ‘24 (future, environment, power) and motivated to express your own thoughts related to them.
• You are over 18 years old.
• You fill out the application at https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/174BC73E62437BD3 by Sunday, April 21st, 2024, at 6:00 PM.
• You participate in the first Think Tank meeting on Friday, June 14th, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Hämeenlinna Art Museum.
• You are committed to working on the biennial’s themes and to producing and sharing material that reflects your own perspective on the adopted artwork.

What do we offer?

• A payment of 200 euros and a museum card for one year for your work. Additionally, each thought smith will receive an Art Realm Idea Smith diploma.
• We will reimburse your travel expenses based on public transportation rates for your participation in the meeting on June 14th, 2023.

Additional Information

Senni Tuomi
taidekasvattaja-tuottaja, Hämeenlinnan taidemuseo
senni.tuomi@hameenlinna.fi

www.taidevaltakunta.fi

The Finnish Heritage Agency and the Alfred Kordelin Foundation support the Art Kingdom Biennale exhibition.