KISMET

About

It is like an acute and amazing trigger – something that pushes and pulls, motivates and set us into action, creating and generating connections and connotations…

In KISMET, Finnish artist Niina Lehtonen Braun shows a selection from her extensive series of drawings and collages entitled These Foolish Things Remind Me of You (2014 – present). Since 2014, Lehtonen Braun has been collecting things that remind people of someone special. She asked friends, relatives, and exhibition visitors for their very personal and individual memories. Objects, tastes, sounds, smells, situations, seasons, lyrics, etc. came together, and Lehtonen Braun created a corresponding drawing or collage for each contribution. In this way, a huge archive of small monuments encourages the viewer to reminisce about loved ones. The process of collecting foolish things … continues.

In addition, the artist collective JOKAklubi, consisting of Tellervo Kalleinen and Mirka Raito with Lehtonen Braun, presents three humorous and heartwarming audio works that collect phrases such as I Almost Said (2016), I Shouldn’t Have Said (2020) and I Will Never Forget When You Said … (2021).

Niina Lehtonen Braun studied fine arts in Finland and Paris and has lived and worked in Berlin since 2000. Her artistic work includes collages, painting, installations, and performances. Kerber Verlag has published two artist books about her work, Mother Said (2014) and These Foolish Things Remind Me of You (2016). Since 2015, Lehtonen Braun has been co-director of the project space HilbertRaum, Berlin. Her artistic works have been exhibited extensively in Germany and abroad.
www.niina-lehtonen-braun.com

JOKAklubi was founded in 2009 and combines performance, music, and installation in entrancing low-tech performances, videos, and exhibitions. JOKAklubi is inspired by people and invites them to participate – both on stage and in the artworks themselves. JOKAklubi’s art touches the absurd and existential aspects of human life.
http://jokaklubi.blogspot.com/

About the online performance „Die Gruppenreise“:
Anyone who has experienced JOKAklubi ́s live performances can expect a familiar wild and engaging spirit online as well. For the first-timers – just say YES! to JOKAklubi‘s invitation to join a group trip, even if it doesn‘t seem to make any sense… You will come back home lighter, and feel the sun on your skin long after the return.For all of you: Pack a candle, a snack, a drink, a sun hat and sunglasses in your suitcase and show up online February 20 at 19.00 CET. We will experience a lot together over the 1.5 hour trip! (Register for the free event at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/jokaklubi-die-gruppenreise-tickets-138054100531)