Läpinäkyvyydestä (Eng. Exercises in Transparency) is a live art and artistic research project that examines the ideal of openness and transparency in modern society. At the heart of the work is a contradictory, perhaps also childlike need: to be seen but to remain hidden.

According to the philosopher Byung-Chul Han, we live in a society of transparency where constant interaction has become an unquestioned ideal. Han connects transparency with, for example, interpersonal relationships, symbolically equates it with pornography, and raises questions of power, control, and lack of trust: “a transparent relationship is a dead one, altogether lacking attraction and vitality.”

Navigating between everyday life and art, Exercises in Transparency does not offer predigested statements, but invites the audience to reflect on the topic together with the artists. The work consists of a series of performances to be seen in the fall of 2022, each approaching the topic from a different perspective, with different means of live art.

The project is led by artist, performer and journalist Katriina Kettunen. The core working group also includes scenographer, performer Kristian Palmu and sound designer, performer Oula Rytkönen.

The working group received support for 2021 from Arts Promotion Centre Finland. Katriina Kettunen’s work has also been supported by Kone Foundation’s Saari Residence.

Production: Katriina Kettunen & Reality Research Center

Cover image: Jussi Virkkumaa / Saari Residence