Through the HC Guest Curator programme, an international curator is annually invited to visit the Finnish contemporary art field and to realise an exhibition at Helsinki Contemporary. In the framework of the programme, the aim is to present a bold international exhibition showcase in Helsinki, introduce a new content viewpoint to the gallery's exhibition programme and to support the work of artists represented by the gallery. The programme also strives to integrate experts more closely into the Finnish contemporary art field and to expand the network of experts.
”Exhibition opportunities and the marketplace abroad open up to a very few and selected – what we need are new and versatile ways for supporting talented and ambitious artists. In our experience, one of the most effective ways of doing this is to bring key persons from the field such as curators to work in Helsinki, to get acquainted with local artists, and to see and experience artworks. In the international contemporary art field curators have a lot of influence”, explains Mikaela Lostedt, Director of the gallery.
The selection of the invited curator emphasises curatorial engagements and the possibility of linking the cooperation project to a more extensive work of the curator, the experience of international exhibition activity and the interest in getting acquainted with the Finnish contemporary art field.
The HC Guest Curator programme was launched in 2017, together with Frame Finland and HIAP – Helsinki International Artist Programme. Two exhibitions have been realised in the context of the programme since: The book of the WORD, curated by Michael Petry, London-based artist and curator, Director of MOCA London, and Landscapes of the Future, curated by the artist-researchers, founding directors of Beaconsfield Gallery, London, David Crawforth and Naomi Siderfin.
The programme continues in June 2019, as the gallery has the pleasure of collaborating with the Finnish Cultural Institute in New York to Bring to Helsinki Contemporary Future Delay, an exhibition curated by the New-York based independent curator and Director of Programming and Development of UNTITLED, Art, Amanda Schmitt, featuring newly commissioned works by Madeline Hollander, Pearla Pigao, and Hans Rosenström.