Space Invaders is an ongoing project that takes over a chosen location and brings visual art, performance, music, research and urban planning together. It uses location itself as a starting point to make something special, temporal and site-specific; something which can never reappear exactly the same. Each year Space Invaders has a new theme and theoretical starting point related to space and time and their narratives at hand. This year the theme is Living Together and it is based on Judith Butler recent writings about precariousness and grievability. The physical space is always crucial for Space Invaders but at the same time the situations that become present and visible through the works of art are just as important. The event focuses how to create artworks related to the space activated, as well as the historical context of exhibiting art, hierarchical structures, and social questions. It also questions the traditional roles of the curator, producer, and artist, suggesting new ways to co-work in productions and is based on collective working and thinking together.

This year the already sixth editions of Space Invaders is realized together with Uusix in Kyläsaari where artists are able to explore the old industrial area. The event brings visible how the city of Helsinki is coping with the leftover materials to be recycled. Kyläsaari can be seen as a non-place right next to the lively city space, demanding development and new activities.

Space Invaders has throughout the years been a platform for emerging – both local and international – artists and performers to develop their practice but also a place for artists from different fields, career steps and countries to meet and discuss. The project by Anna Jensen and Eliisa Suvanto has been previously organized in Pori (2013 & 2014), Espoo (Otaniemi, 2015 & Matinkylä, 2016) and Tampere (Hiedanranta, 2017).

Participants: Aino Lintunen, Ali Akbar Mehta, Alina Autio, Alina Belishkina, Andrea Coyotzi Borja, Bassam El Baroni, Erno-Erik Raitanen, Liina Kuittinen, Lotta Esko, Maria Mastola, Mira Simon, Nelli Ruotsalainen, nynnyt, Parsa Kamehkhosh, Silja Eriksson, to kosie, Työstäkieltäytyjäliitto, Valeria Nekhaeva, Vappu Jalonen

Space Invaders is executed in collaboration with Aalto University, Academy of Fine Arts – University of the Arts Helsinki, PUBLICS and Uusix. The project is kindly supported by the Uusimaa Regional Fund of the Finnish Cultural Foundation. The opening drinks provided by Hailuodon Panimo.

Program:

Wednesday, 23 May

3–4pm
Space Invaders opening in Kyläsaari, performances by Alina Autio, Parsa Kamehkhosh and Mira Simon.

5–7pm
Program continues at PUBLICS
to kosie: blue tears, Liina Kuittinen: Blow
Snacks & organic beer by Hailuodon Panimi served

Thursday and Friday, 24–25 May

11am–4pm
Exhibition open in Kyläsaari
Silja Eriksson’s participatory performance.

Saturday, 26 May

11am–4pm
Exhibition open in Kyläsaari
Performance by Alina Autio.

Speakers’ Corner
Open platform to give a public speech. Theme and topic are free but we hope that each talk will make the world a bit better. Invited participants: Ali Akbar Mehta, Aino Lintunen / SIC, Bassam El Baroni, Nelli Ruotsalainen, Työstäkieltäytyjät