Jyrki Parantainen

Everything Is So Fine, 2008

Archival pigment print
160 x 400 cm
Edition of 5

Two Horizons, 2007

Archival pigment print
105 x 252 cm
Edition of 5

All the islands in this image have been chosen from a global perspective that reflect a common characteristic; they all have experienced some sort of conflict whether it be political, environmental, social or war. What they all share in common is a mutual horizon. The Image itself has been taken in Nötö, Finnish archipelago.

Islands from left to right:
Irian JAYA (Papua) –an ongoing conflict in Western New Guinea since 1962 between Indonesia and the “Free Papua Movement”. Con Dao (Vietnam) – During colonialism occupied by French. During Vietnam War a prison island and concentration camp run by USA. Buka (Eastern Papua New Guinea). Buka Island was occupied by Japanese troops during World War II, and it was the site of important Japanese airfields that had to be neutralized. Although the Island was bombed by allied air forces and warships. Sri Lanka- Civil war 1983 – 2009. Sahalin (Russia) – Disagreement and wars about ownership between Soviet Union and Japan from beginning 20 century to world war II. Tuvalu (Pacific Ocean) – Highest point of island is 5 meters above sea level. Climate change and escalating sea level are bigger threats than any other place. Las Islas Malvinas ( Falkland Islands) – (Argentina) War between UK and Argentina 1982. Cyprus (Mediterranian Sea) - Island shared with Turkey and Greece. North Cyprus is occupied by Turkey but no country has accepted the independence. Tongan (Polynesia) - Active volcanic and earthquake area. Vulnerable for pollution, erosion, disappearing coral reefs and typhoons. Green Island (Suez) - Former active war zone. British army basement during world war II. War between Israel and Egypt 1969. Solomon (Territory of New Guinea)- World War II, scene of some of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific “theater”. British and German colonialism before that. Dokdo Island - Island between Japan and South Korea – endless controversy about dominating it.
Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) - Civil war and other conflicts 1988 – 1998. Maluku islands (Indonesia) - Religious conflict erupted across the islands in January 1999.Local groups of Muslims and Christians, the destruction of thousands of houses, the displacement of approximately 500,000 people, the loss of thousands of lives. Fiji (Pasific Ocean) – Long period under colonialism, from 1987 several takeovers.

Virtues, 2007

Archival pigment print
125 x 316 cm
Edition of 5

In the Jyrki Parantainen’s photograph ‘Virtues’ we see an expanded barren wide open plain of land sliced in the middle by a sliver of water from a nearly dried up river bed. This piece of geography is placed in one of the far western provinces in China that is inhabited by a largely Muslim population. It’s traditionally been one of the most contentious regions in China throughout it’s long history due it’s proximity to the west and it’s ever changing borders. Parantainen’s ironic twist of circling the photographs horizon with Christianity’s seven virtues in contrast with the seven sins, raises the eternal question for the quest for more.

Day and Eternity, 2008

Archival pigment print
125 x 320 cm
Edition of 5

The image is taken in Santa Monica, Los Angeles. The title comes from the film “Eternity and a Day”, (Theo Angelopoulos, 1998). One of Parantainen’s primary influences comes from his fascination with films. In this case Angelopoulos uses the themes that circulate around time, memories and space, as his way of unfolding his cinematic story. In the film “Eternity and a Day” the motto could be this: Human life is a small universe. The main character in the film , a poet, asks himself whether his life has had any impact? Parantainen’s uses this image as his own personal interpretation of implying it does, as he reflects upon the poets wife describing her husbands imagination as “tomorrow will last eternity and a day”. The beach in this photo captures one moment in time and the sea eternity. Each wave is numbered to remind the viewer that life is endless process of reconfiguration and renewal.