Kotka Photographic Center

KOTKA PHOTOGRAPHIC CENTER

HISTORY


Trials and hardships

In February 2005 three men dressed in black met in a musty cellar room. Juha Metso, Timo Mähönen and Olli Haapio were worried about the apathy and the conspicuous desperation of cultural life in Kotka. Arts like photography did not seem to exist neither in the self-contended and corrupt planned economy of the bloated cultural cabinets in the city nor in the false, feigned atmosphere of clinking champagne glasses. Perhaps our prayer was heard because in April, 2005 City of Kotka finally carried out an organisational reform which granted us a chance for an individualistic revolution. After years of smouldering our aggressive cultural capital found its outlet and the mental concentration camp sustained by city officials was over and done. On May the 5th, 2005 Kotka Photographic Center society was founded at a corner table in a local tavern after some heated debate and small scuffle.

Dawn of a new era

After a lot of speeches and planning, we put off the tiresome pen pushing and wordplay till later and set out to find a suitable place for the Center. The first joint exhibition was put up in July, 2005 during the Kotka Maritime Festival, and we in fact unknowingly tested our future site then. Negotiations with the City of Kotka were exceedingly slow and rigid and the proposed sites closely resembled certain Haitian prisons. We were forced to turn to private sector to apply for exhibition space. After an unbelievable amount of toil, struggle and stressing sidesteps we finally signed the lease to our current site located in the address Vuorelankulma 2, 48100 Kotka. The building, designed by architect Kaarlo Könönen, was completed in 1927 as an excellent example of the classicism of the 1920's. Thus, a new kind of cultural heroism as well as a new age of culture had just begun.

Functioning regionally and globally in the third sector

In the autumn of 2005 we really got started by filling a number of preliminary financing applications. As often is the case the whole enterprise was almost toppled over by merciless everyday cares. Financing plans ended in a shredder and our spirits were as low as they can get. In 2006, however, all this changed. Special thanks to the Finnish Cultural Foundation Kymenlaakso Regional fund and their positive attitude to us. Further support and security was provided in May, 2006, when the Arts Council of Finland for Photographic art granted us production relief. During 2006, co-ordinator, producer and founding member Timo Mähönen and his faithful companions designed and carried out the first phase of renovation in the gallery. In 2007 renovation continued by creating new wall elements and starting the alteration of the intended dark room/ digital workshop. During the first quarter of 2008 steps were taken to improve the insufficient lighting in the gallery. A leading lighting designer was found for the job. Our aim was to renew the whole system of lighting, and by the autumn of 2008 two thirds of this arduous and costly task was completed.


Strong vision, strong concept, strong leader

During the first year there were four remarkable international shows in our gallery. In July the series of shows was started by artists Sabine Meyer and Thomas Humery. In August, together with Photographic Center Nykyaika, we organised a show by Bert Stern & Inge Morath "Marilyn Monroe and The Misfits", which gained considerable cult reputation in the region. Also worth mentioning are some of our own productions, which received similar positive feedback. After a deliberate conceptual change we produced "I shot Elvis" by Ed Bonja, the famous photographer of Elvis Presley- a first in Finland on this scale. The show "100%" by Juha Metso and Miina Äkkijyrkkä was found by the public at large, and " 70 years of Juha Vainio" also found its public quite commendably. A variety of additional shows including poetry readings, performances and jazz have proved to be enlivening stimulants for both the Photographic Center and the active culture crowd in the area. Co-operation between neighbouring areas, without the hindrances of bureaucracy, started yielding product in 2008, and with the strengthening networking new opportunities for co-operation all over the world are created.





Photographic center opening 2006


Marilyn Monroe opening show

Riku "Madventures" Rantala lecture show (audience record)