Smith

The photographs of the French artist Smith (born 1985) explore the themes of absence and presence, as they paint a picture of the constant changes a young person undergoes. This major solo exhibition is Smith's debut in the Nordic countries. Still in her late twenties, Paris-based Smith was brought up on the internet and digital technology. Smith's works are influenced by, for example, the photography of Nan Gouldin, Christer Strömholm and Antoine d'Agata.

Smith's hazy and melancholy images create their own world. Her photographs feature fragile young adults, sometimes facing away from the viewer, in juxtaposition with quiet landscapes. The people in the works seem spellbound, transfixed, but, at the same time, you can sense the change and restlessness raging inside them.

Smith says she is constantly photographing her friends. She says she is very interested in what is not visible, and in what, in people and in the change that happens in them, remains uncaptured by the images. What can we only see in our minds?

To be exhibited at the Finnish Museum of Photography will be Smith's photographic works from various series, including Löyly, which she created in Finland. The exhibition will also feature a multimedia video installation, Agnés, and a brand-new short film, Septiéme Promenade.

The exhibition is accompanied by the book Smith: Löyly, which was published in November 2013 by Filigranes Editions at the Paris Photo fair. The book is available for sale at the Finnish Museum of Photography shop.

The exhibition is produced in collaboration with Institut français de Finlande.

Smith's works have been widely exhibited around the world. She is represented by the Parisian gallery Galerie les Filles du Calvaire.

Guided tours: Public free-of-charge guided exhibition tours (in Finnish): Sundays 13; Morning guided exhibition tours Wednesdays 11.15–11.45, conversational exhibition guide: Sundays 14–15. Museum entry fee.

To book guided tours or workshops:   workshop@fmp.fi , tel. +358 9 6866 3621

Further information on workshops, guided tours and public program: Head of education and public programmes Erja Salo, +358 44 2706216, erja.salo@fmp.fi

Further information on the exhibitions: 
Chief curator Anna-Kaisa Rastenberger 050 518 7619. anna-kaisa.rastenberger@fmp.fi

Curator Tiina Rauhala, +358 504327562, tiina.rauhala@fmp.fi

Exhibition hours Tue–Sun, 11–18 Wed, 11–20.

The Finnish Museum of Photography, Cable Factory, Tallberginkatu 1 G, 00180 Helsinki

tel. +358 9 6866 3621 / fmp@fmp.fi /