Satu Mäkinen
Art for me is a way live to and be. A way to understand others and a way to find my own place in this world. Through art, my existence is relevant to others.
I have made many kinds of art. When I started, I worked physically with the movement in contemporary dance and performing arts. Among other things, I am interested in transforming public spaces into art venues and taking art to hospitals and nursing homes, for example, where people can’t go to see art. Expressively, I often think that less is more.
In recent years, I have focused on photography. I’ve created entities and worlds with photos. It’s been fun, even though my subjects have been serious and strongly social. For me, art is serious and play at the same time. I never know in advance what the end result will look like, but I always know that I can finish the job.
My inspirations are Pina Bausch and Marina Abramovich. I still return to their works as I long for understanding and comfort. With the Bausch works, I understand, and I know that there is someone somewhere who understand me too: shares the same pain of sensitivity and the great enchantment of details.
Open-mindedness and courage makes my art special. Here I am. Where are you today?
Artworks
CV
b. 1974
Contact: makinensatu7@gmail.com
Residency
2024-25 Johannevik Art House 2-3.5.2024, 23-25.9.2024, 9.-10.1.2025 and 26.-28.5.2025
2019 Temporary Public Art Artist Residency Wild Aquarium, Gallery Art Kaarisilta, Helsinki 25.11-1.12.2019
Private exhibitions
Close, Kallio Kunsthalle, 2013
Diagnosed; same, different, 2018, Mental Museum Lapinlahti
Diagnosed part II: Price of Human, Gallery Corridor Lapinlahti, 2019
Shadow, Light, Power 2022, Lapinlahden Lähde, Helsinki
About mother, birds, death 2024, Lapinlahden Lähde, Helsinki
Time and Color (Aika ja väri), 8.4.-31.5.2025, Karjalatalo, Helsinki
Group exhibitions
HammockMind, Lapinlahti, 2013
Change, Lapinlahti, 2019
A Moment From The Mind, Lapinlahti, 2020
Quiet Corridors, Empty Rooms, Gallery Corridor Lapinlahti, 2024
Other
Cascas D´OVO(Eggshells), 2015, Zodiak, dancer/performer
Jenni Koistinen: On the way home 2015, Zodiak, dancer/performer
Dance group Dolce, 2007-2015
Group 11: And The Word Was, 2011, Theater Universum, dancer/performer
Eija-Liisa Ahtila: The Annunciation, 2010, the main role Maria. Work on display, e.g Kiasma, Moderna Museet, Marian Goodman Gallery New York, Guggenheim Bilbao
Links
Exhibitions:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IBIu_Z9BAnE (Satu Mäkinen’s video work Liukuportaat / Escalator)
https://www.ku.fi/artikkeli/4215509-leikkia-villiintyneessa-akvaariossa (newspaper article about the residency at Art Kaarisilta)
From Idea to Exhibition, Part 1: Getting to Know Each Other and Filming – Niemikoti Community website
From Idea to Exhibition, Part 2: Towards the Celebration – Niemikoti Community website
(The From Idea to Exhibition blog posts describe the making of the exhibition Shadow, Light, Strength.)
Other:
Pakosta vapaaksi – Kaupunki | HS.fi (newspaper article about Satu Mäkinen; for subscribers, accessible with login)
The Annunciation | Yle Teema | yle.fi (Satu Mäkinen as the lead performer in Eija-Liisa Ahtila’s video work The Annunciation)