Tampere DOK comes to Europe Week

Chemnitz wants to learn from Europe and network with Europe by applying for the title of European Capital of Culture 2025, which is why four photographers from the Finnish twin city of Tampere, which also wants to become European Capital of Culture, are visiting Chemnitz for Europe Week from 4 to 12 May 2019.

The international photographers Marja-Liisa Torniainen, Hannu Vanhanen, Aimo Hyvärinen and Susanna Myllylä will be bringing with them the "Tampere DOK" exhibition on urban change in Tampere. They will also pass on their experiences in two workshops at the VHS. "Our programme also includes exchanges with photographers and cultural institutions in Chemnitz, as we are looking for cooperation partners for our international photo triennial Backlight. The 16th edition of the triennial will take place in 2020 on the theme of 'Photography meets research and new technologies'," explains Hannu Vanhanen, director of the Backlight photo triennial.

Visits are planned to the Cluster of Excellence MERGE at Chemnitz University of Technology, the Saxon Industrial Museum Chemnitz, the Saxon Textile Research Institute e. V. (STIF), the Chemnitz Film Workshop and the Chemnitz Artists' Association, among others.

The photographers' residency is a joint project of the city's EU office, the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre and the Chemnitz2025 bid office for the title of European Capital of Culture 2025. The city of Tampere is applying for the title of "European Capital of Culture" in 2026, so the residency will enable us to actively work on networking between Tampere2026 and Chemnitz2025. "During their stay, the group is also developing ideas for an artist exchange with Chemnitz this autumn," says photographer Marja-Liisa Torniainen from the Tampere Artists' Association.

Tampere DOK exhibition - opening on 7 May, 6 pm

The photo exhibition "Tampere DOK" is a joint exhibition of ten photographers from Tampere. It shows in photos and film how the Finnish city of Tampere is changing. It shows how the Finnish city of Tampere is changing, for example through the construction of a new tram line and a city tunnel over two kilometres long. The exhibition thus builds a bridge to the twin city of Chemnitz, which is focussing on similar aspects of urban development as part of its bid to become European Capital of Culture 2025.
The exhibition will open on 7 May at 6 pm on the 4th floor of the TIETZ. Ferenc Csák, director of "Chemnitz2025" and Hannu Vanhanen, exhibiting artist and director of the photo triennial Backlight, will welcome you. Admission is free.

Workshops from 7 to 11 May, each from 10 am to 2 pm

The two workshops "Urban waters - between art and documentation" (course number: S1929130) and "Life and places in suburbs" (course number: S1929131) will take place from 7 to 11 May from 10 am to 2 pm at the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre.
The workshops are open to anyone interested in photography, from young to old; no experience or knowledge of photography is required. All you need to bring to the workshops is a digital camera. Registration is still possible and can be done via the VHS. Participation is free of charge.

The results of the workshops will be presented to the public in the form of an exhibition on Saturday, 11 May at 2 pm. The exhibition area is on the 4th floor of the TIETZ. The pictures will be on display until 26 May.

The photographers:

• Marja-Liisa Torniainen is a visual artist, photo artist and freelance writer for various art magazines. For many years she taught art to children and adults at Tampere Folk High School. For many years she was involved in the Tampere Artists' Association and the Finnish Artists' Union. She currently represents the Artists' Association on the board of the Kunsthalle Helsinki.
  
• Hannu Vanhanen holds a doctorate in photographic communication and teaches photojournalism and graphic design as a university professor. Vanhanen has several years of experience as a freelance photojournalist. He is the director of the international photo triennial Backlight.
  
• Aimo Hyvärinen is a media artist, photographer, documentary filmmaker and university lecturer. He has several years of teaching experience in the field of media production. His films and video works have been shown in museums and festivals in various countries. Hyvärinen is on the board of trustees of the photo triennial Backlight.
  
• Susanna Myllylä is a trained photographer and university lecturer in economics, environmental policy and regional studies. She has completed extended research stays in Ethiopia, Brazil, Egypt, Tanzania and India, where she focussed on aspects of urban development, among other things.

Funding information

This programme is co-financed with tax funds on the basis of the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament.