Adolfo Vera - Man can no longer expect miracles,

Exhibition at Galleria Huuto 2020

Helsinki, Finland

Untitled [press], 2019

Inkjet print and stick

190 x 30 x 45 cm

Untitled [press], 2019, detail

Inkjet print and stick

190 x 30 x 45 cm

Untitled [the press], 2019

Magazine, framework and light with motion sensor

48 x 59 x 10 cm

Untitled [the press], 2019, detail

Magazine, framework and light with motion sensor

48 x 59 x 10 cm

Untitled [dialoge], 2019

Aquarium, book and flour worms [Tenebrio Molitor]

34 x 70 x 31 cm

Untitled [dialoge], 2019, detail

Aquarium, book and flour worms [Tenebrio Molitor]

34 x 70 x 31 cm

Untitled [press], 2013

Press and hair

45 x 48 x 36 cm

Exhibition at galleria Huuto, 2020

Helsinki, Finland

Untitled [the chair of Hamelin], 2020

Book and chair

90 x 40 x 45 cm

Untitled [definitions], 2019

Inkjet print

165 x 121 cm

Exhibition at galleria Huuto, 2020

Helsinki, Finland

Untitled [die Soldaten im Felde], 2019

Photos and metronome

160 x 160 x 15 cm

Untitled [die Soldaten im Felde], 2019, detail

Photos and metronome

160 x 160 x 15 cm

Untitled [the frame has been painted], 2019

Frame

100 x 85 cm

Untitled, [trace], 2019

Box, plaster cast and soil

100 x 170 x 50 cm

Man can no longer expect miracles, not even from themselves

Do we still understand each other?

It is not enough that we dream of a good world. If we do not critically examine the things that we consider valuable and make the underlying thoughts visible, other people’s thoughts may easily take over. In this situation, the pursuit of mutual understanding will easily beat the pursuit of truth, and the pursuit of acceptance will beat honesty. As history shows, this may lead to the humanization of evil, the consequences of which are often noticed too late.

Artist Adolfo Vera remembered Simone Weil’s thoughts in the summer of 2019 when he read about the threats sent to the Director General of the National Archives of Finland in relation to a study about Finnish SS volunteers’ likely participation in war crimes between 1941 and 1943. This is not an exceptional case, as it had been revealed earlier that researchers, journalists, politicians and even ordinary citizens had faced pressure and intimidation when discussing certain themes publicly. Vera, who moved to Finland in 1973 as a refugee from Chile, could vividly remember the events that took place in his former home country over 45 years ago – how honest dialogue gradually decreased and demonization paved the way for a military coup.

What is the role of art? What should one think about the events? Is there a way to make people wake up to what’s going on? Or am I jumping to conclusions? Is there no cause for concern? What should one do to prevent the worst fears from coming true?

Influenced by different contemporary art movements, Vera challenges us, through his varied works, to reflect on our role in the development of society. Even seemingly normal things may symbolize major developments in society, we just have to open our eyes to see them – and be ready to consider what we really mean with the words and images we use.