17.07.2020—27.09.2020
Tartu Art Museum Project Space
The Tartu Art Museum invites you to enjoy a unique video-installation, “FinnCycling” by Martta Tuomaala, which takes the form of a “spinning”-style training class. The work is part of the broader project, which explores work-related topics and the role of women in Finnish society.
The exhibition “FinnCycling-Soumi-Perkele!” brings to Tartu a video installation by the Helsinki-based artist Martta Tuomaala. The installation consists of a video and two exercise bikes that visitors can use. The hour-long video talks about topical, social and ecological themes connected with Finland in a form of an indoor-cycling class, accompanied by uplifting training rap songs. The ironic and slightly absurd video caricatures the former Finnish government’s short-sighted decisions, which will feel familiar to Estonians.
“Welcome to this 45-minute indoor cycling class, my name is Martta. This is a steady-state cardio class, so no breaks, but no high intensity spurts either. You should be able to talk, or even sing along, without feeling out of breath. Just copy what I’m doing and you should work up a sweat. This programme is called FinnCycling-Soumi-Perkele! I’m not a sports person, so I have no idea whether we’ll be burning fat or just giving ourselves stiff muscles.”
Martta Tuomaala (MA, b. 1983) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Helsinki. Tuomaala focuses on various forms of film, video and installation. Her artistic practice involves elements of socially engaged art and militant research. Common themes in her artworks include workers’ everyday life, the struggles of individuals and communities, and the abuse of power. Tuomaala has worked in many low-income fields and her own experiences have inspired her to create projects emphasising workers’ rights.
Curator: Julia Polujanenkova
Co-ordinator: Kristlyn Liier
Graphic design: Tnxalatte design collective (Anastassia Šarõmova, Olga Makaronskaja and Sofia Isupova)
Educational programme: Kristel Sibul
Exhibition team: Richard Adang, Nele Ambos, Tanel Asmer, Indrek Grigor, Joanna Hoffmann, Margus Joonsalu, Jaanika Kuznetsova, Katrin Lõoke, Anti Saar, Peeter Talvistu, Kristo Tamm and Urmo Teekivi
Supported by: the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, AVEK, MyFitness
With the exhibition “FinnCycling-Soumi-Perkele!”ticket or with a full house ticket, the one-time visit to the MyFitness club is 3 EUR.
Exhibition views
Photographer Hedi Jaansoo
