GALLERY ASKI: TONI HAUTAMÄKI – FREEDOM

Different Dimensions of Abstraction

Toni Hautamäki’s exhibition Freedom at Galleria Aski presents the artist’s interpretations of the Seven[i] deadly sins. In addition, Hautamäki introduces a new painting technique where geometric precision meets chance.

Hautamäki has long been inspired by Josef Albers’ (1888–1976) color theory, but now, in an unexpected turn, he combines abstract and geometric color painting with dripping. The concept relates to American composer John Cage’s (1912–1992) interest in the Chinese Book of Changes (I Ching). The composer sought to move away from personal decisions towards chance, using the idea of casting lots in the Chinese text to guide his creative process. Hautamäki’s splattering is a tribute to chance and artistic freedom, allowing different worlds to collide.

For Toni Hautamäki, the significance of artistic freedom is a major ethical and artistic question, as he addresses general ethical issues, the experience of beauty, the meaning of color, and the problems caused by post-capitalist society in his works. The latter is highlighted by the following thought from American linguist and philosopher Noam Chomsky (1928) in his work The Future of the State (2006):
“We now have enough technical and material resources to satisfy human animal needs. But we have not developed the cultural and moral resources—or the democratic forms of organizing society—that would make it possible to use our material wealth and power in a humane and rational way.” Chomsky eloquently expresses the problematic nature of the current world: How can we find ways to act and solutions to save democracy and humanity in an era of greed?

In the Freedom exhibition, the artist also presents his own interpretations of the deadly sins that thrive in our time, a time that worships greed and shortsightedness. During his creative process, Hautamäki has reflected on the following quote from American author Mark Twain (1835–1910): “By the mercy of God, we have in this country these three inestimably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the understanding never to use either one.” Hautamäki brings forth the individual’s responsibility in addressing significant ethical questions in everyday life. Art is one way to consider how humans have both freedom and responsibility for their actions and choices.

Toni Hautamäki describes his creative process as follows: “I try to create works where both the microcosm and macrocosm can be seen simultaneously. With this painting technique, I aim to replicate nature and its processes or ways of manifesting. The chance of the stippling technique generates an organic visual language, which can be thought to describe the seemingly random way natural forms exist.”

Freedom showcases a renewed Hautamäki, who nevertheless demonstrates how it is possible to stay true to one’s artistic path while finding new and surprising elements along the way. Hautamäki proves why it’s worth talking about living art, art that takes people to places they didn’t expect to go. The artist presents the deadly sins, but the responsibility for our actions remains with us. This captures the central message of artistic activity and accountability: in art, there is freedom, but it doesn’t provide us with instructions on how to act; instead, it offers new thoughts, experiences, and feelings. Poet Aaro Hellaakoski (1893–1952) encapsulated this idea in his famous work Huojuvat keulat (1946): “The road is the prison of the wayfarer / Only the snow-covered path is free.“

PhD Juha-Heikki Tihinen

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[i] There are eight deadly sins in the artist’s interpretation.

An artist talk will take place on Sunday, January 18, from 3 to 4 PM. Welcome!

Webpage: Toni Hautamäki

Instagram: artisttonihautamaki