Wirst Du Für Immer Mein Sein? / Will You Be Mine Forever? / Oletko ikuisesti minun?
CURATOR Mika Mario Minetti (FIN)
ARTIST Janne Räisänen (FIN)
For his recent paintings and drawings, artist Janne Räisänen has drawn inspiration from his travels around Europe during the past year. At the exhibition, we will for instance have a glimpse at long-haired harem boys presented in “Pitkä haaremi” in such a playful manner that probably never took place in Istanbul really. Figures such as “Frau Lilien von Busch” you may encounter at Café Buchwald at the river bank of Berlin-Tiergarten. “Aunt Jetta” still hounds us amongst her early 20th century Venetian boudoir furniture, brought to Musterzimmer especially for the occasion. Also, Räisänen has further developed motives from his two previous solo exhibitions in Helsinki and Berlin. At Galerie Anhava in August 2012, we saw a number of long-haired youngsters and a certain “Herr Rainer von und zu Zufall”, whose adventures will continue at Musterzimmer, whereas at Galerie Suvi Lehtinen in March 2012, a series of elusive lovers, such as James Franco and Wolfgang Tillmans, was presented by the artist to his German audience. This time Räisänen’s temporary lover is called “Ohikiitävä elämäni rakkaus: Jesus Christ”, whomever that may refer to!
Janne Räisänen (born 1971 in Pudasjärvi, Finland) lives and works in Berlin and Helsinki. He is known for his expressionist paintings and drawings that are instantly recognizable. They contain playful elements inspired by pop, club and street culture as well as literature, music and movies. Räisänen has studied at the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts and the Städelschule in Frankfurt am Main. In 1999, he was given the distinction of Young Artist of the Year. At present, Janne Räisänen teaches at the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts.
With Janne in Spain
“It was a lazy afternoon in Barcelona on August 27th 2012. Janne Räisänen and myself were spending the day in Barri Gòtic, a medieval part of the old town with cozy restaurants, a couple of museums and delicious tapas bars serving sangria made of local cava: a sparkling and inspiring trip indeed. Eventually we sat back in an outdoor café, where I spotted a ravishing, god-like beauty sitting at the table next to us. I said to Janne: ‘What if I approached him and asked him to be mine forever?’ Janne encouraged me to make the move, which I unfortunately didn’t, and added: ‘Even if he wouldn’t be yours forever, it would make a perfect title for a painting.’” -Mika Mario Minetti, co-founder of Musterzimmer and curator of the exhibition.