Roi Vaara, Towards the Sky
Klimata, Bern, CH, 1994, photo: Naranja.
seen from China
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seen from Malaysia
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seen from China
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United States
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seen from United States
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seen from Macao SAR China

seen from France
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seen from France
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seen from Netherlands
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seen from Poland
Roi Vaara, Towards the Sky
Klimata, Bern, CH, 1994, photo: Naranja.
Why would you want to hear a word so distant
Single channel HD projection with sound 07.31 mins 2010
I pose as a journalist, holding a microphone in my hand and interviewing passers-by. In each interview, lasting about half a minute, no question is asked, no answer is given and no word is spoken.
This work is made of people’s embarrassment, silences, gestures, facial expressions, nervous twitches, and polite attempts to speak English with a foreigner. There’s also life happening in the background, in city streets and architectures, unaware and untouched by the presence of a camera.
family photos I & II
I Wish I Could Live In Andy Warhol’s Dream Of America (2016) I conceived this photograph about 3 months ago, but decided to take the plunge. At first I somehow imagined a teal motif, but as the sense of Warholia grew, it seemed to be the red, white and blue hyper-real American motif that led the look, including the red, white and blue of the suit. The fake nails served two purposes: firstly, it mae tasks like eating, opening a can of coke and using a tin opener very difficult, but secondly it also gave Warhol a ‘wraith-like’ appearance. It’s almost as if this is a ‘queer zombie apparition’ of Warhol rather than an imitation, parody or direct copy. The excessive consumption alludes to the idea of high capitalism and high commercialism in his art, and the way it embodied the American ideal. Of course, Warhol has used these motifs himself in his work, including Campbells and Coca Cola, while he has commented on McDonald’s. There was also a strong ‘red’ colour throughout the brands. Surprising if this colour is the epitome of socialism.
The act of consumption is, in itself, gross and grotesque. The “Warhol wraith” devours the goods, making the food go from neat and ordered to messy and discarded. It seems in itself needless, messy and greedy. There is a question behind it, leaving the act seem ultimately unfulfilling and selfish.
Feelings.
Family Rope, Children's shoes and Stool.