Teemu Mäki

Basic information

b. 1967, Lapua
Visual Artist, Writer, Director (performing arts / film), Researcher
Residence: Helsinki

Contact information

Artist’s Statement

Teemu Mäki (1967–, Finland).

I’m an artist, director, writer and researcher. A Doctor of Fine Arts (Finnish Academy of Fine Arts 2005). Since 1990 I have been an independent, freelancing artist, except for the years 2008–2013, when I was the Professor of Fine Arts in Aalto University.

I work in the fields of art, philosophy and politics by whatever means necessary. The results are usually some kind of visual art, literature, theater, film or theory. For me art is the most flexible, versatile and holistic form of philosophy and politics. Art expands philosophical and political thinking into the realm of the non-verbal and makes it a bodily, sensuous activity.

I’ve had 52 solo exhibitions, participated in over 200 group shows, written seven books and directed numerous theatre plays, films and operas.

Current information

Forthcoming:

THE GOSPEL OF CHRISTMAS, Kiasma Theatre, premiere 7.12.2018, https://kiasma.fi/en/performances-events/koivuryhma-jouluevankeliumi/

REFUGEE CONVERSATIONS, a 90-minute documentary film, spring 2019, YLE / Greenlit Productions.

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My most recent book was published in October 2017:

Teemu Mäki: Taiteen tehtävä – esseitä (Into Kustannus, 2017, 500 pages).

http://www.teemumaki.com/teemumakitext.html

https://intokustannus.fi/kirja/taiteen-tehtava-esseita/

It's in Finnish only, sorry. But a previous book of mine in the same vein has been translated:

Teemu Mäki: Darkness Visible – Essays on Art, Philosophy and Politics (Kuva, 2007).

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My most recent theatre piece is:

Sinusta tulee koivu / You'll Be A Tree

http://www.teemumaki.com/theater-koivu-english.html