Art film premiere at the Ostrobothnian Museum on 26 January

The Peaks explores psychic manifestations and connections between them, taking the viewer on a journey of reflection on what can be achieved by becoming more mindful of things through greater awareness of the subconscious. Drawing on the landscapes of Ostrobothnia and their distinctive formations, The Peaks hurls us into surreal and dreamlike spaces where humans can merge and shift into the beyond of the conscious, into that which we are made of. The work’s thought-provoking narrative uses places such as Lostenen and Devil’s Nest to embody the inner mazes of humanity and to reflect the vastness to which we unconditionally belong, and which is a part of us; a reality that is often overlooked.

During the event, the main hall will serve as a meeting point where people can enjoy refreshments and talk to the artist, collaborators, and to each other.

The event is organised in collaboration with the City of Vaasa Museums and the Film Centre Botnia.

The art film/project is supported by the Arts Promotion Centre (Taike), Svenska Kulturfonden & Svensk-Österbottniska Samfundet, and the event itself is supported by the Eugène, Elisabeth och Birgit Nygréns Stiftelse.

Art through subjective experience and self-exploration

Valentina Gelain (Feltre, 1992) is a contemporary artist living in Ostrobothnia. She graduated in Visual Arts (BA-MA) from the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in Milan, Italy.

Through subjective experience and introspection, Gelain explores issues related to human existentialism, drawing inspiration directly from the spiritual and emotional, symbolic and dreamlike spheres. Stretching the thread between consciousness and unconsciousness and seeing and imagining, the balance moves through (self-)analysis, awareness, and the search for an empathetic balance, calling upon unchained resources and understanding of others, starting from within ourselves. Through the multiple unfolding of perceptions, a variety of exploratory themes such as inner conflicts, mental landscapes, and redemption are addressed through a synergy of form and content, image and intention. As an artist with an interdisciplinary approach, Gelain explores subjects and imaginaries through a variety of languages and communication tools that can best help express her artistic vision.

Programme:

16.00 – Welcome reception in the main hall of the Ostrobothnian Museum

16.15 – Start of the performance in the new auditorium (video length about 9 minutes)

17.25 – Artist’s speech / Q&A session in the new auditorium