SAMI PARKKINENHealing 11.3.2023 – 8.4.2023

What concepts, images, customs and beliefs define the way we look at the world? How aware are we of these factors? Francis Bacon’s (1561-1626) idea that "knowledge is power" still strongly defines our relationship with, for example, the environment. The environment is modified and controlled using knowledge produced and our perception of ourselves is also likewise modified and controlled using knowledge produced. Knowledge as a means of control is not limited merely to science and the technology created with it. There is also a need and desire in traditional religious thinking to control the relationship between humankind and the environment.

In his photographs, Sami Parkkinen wants to reflect on whether it’s possible for us to break away from the concepts and images provided by traditional knowledge-theoretical metaphysics to examine the world and ourselves. How can we create new concepts and images that would help us to understand the inalienability, beauty and diversity of the relationship between humankind and the environment? Because you don’t need to look for the beauty of the world beyond its existence. Beauty is present and it exists here.

In his works, Sami Parkkinen also wants to examine and explore spirituality, and spirituality in relation to us and our environment. Can a person be spiritual without the imagery and conceptual framework of traditional religions? In Sami Parkkinen’s imagery, spirituality emerges as various forms of a presence and wonder at the phenomena of the world around us. Spirituality is seen, as it were, as part of the curious nature of humankind without the assumption of greater forces behind the phenomena.

Vesa Kuronen
Philosophy lecturer