Jani Ruscica

Not-knot
5 – 29 Oct 2023
Installation view
Photo: JussinTiainen

The works of JANI RUSCICA combine a wide range of different forms of artistic expression, including video, sound, performance, sculpture, murals and wood cuts, characterised by a humane and explorative approach mixed with humour. Their practice investigates the ties and slippages between interpretation and representation, questioning categories and binaries and collapsing boundaries of language, matter and meaning. In their works, Ruscica extensively explores the relationship of the image to sound and language, the image as symbol or sign, and the themes and elements of performativity, materiality, sculpturality and transitions between different forms of expression and spaces. 

Jani Ruscica (b. 1978, Finland/Italy) lives and works in Helsinki. They studied sculpture at the Chelsea College of Art & Design in London and media art at the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts in Helsinki. Ruscica has held many solo exhibitions, most recently at Kunsthalle Helsinki; 1646 Art Space, the Hague; and Otto Zoo, Milan. Their works have also appeared in numerous group exhibitions, including Kiran Nadar Museum, New Delhi; 6th Dhaka Art Summit, Dhaka, Bangladesh; HAM, Helsinki; MMOMA, Moscow; AGWA, Perth; and the 1st Riga Biennial. Ruscica has work in the collections of the Centre Pompidou, the Saastamoinen Foundation and Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, among others. In 2018, the Finnish Art Society awarded the William Thuring Prize to Ruscica.

Jani Ruscica, Polynotknot (and they bloom), 2023, 4K video, stereo sound, endless duration

In the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma Collection

Installation view
Photo: Jussi Tiainen

About Us (Refrain to Refrain)
2022
4K algorithmic installation, stereo sound
endless duration (excerpt)
edition of 5

Not-knot
5 – 29 Oct 2023
Installation view
Photo: Jussi Tiainen

No Dot on the I, with dancer Suzanna Pezo
Kunsthalle Helsinki, 2022, installation view

Photo: Patrik Rastenberger

No Dot on the I (still), 2021, 4K video, stereo sound, 10’36” loop

No Dot on the I
Kunsthalle Helsinki, 2022, installation view
Photo: Patrik Rastenberger

Human Flesh, 2019
2K video, stereo
16 min (excerpt)
edition of 5

In Saastamoinen Foundation Collection

Hope is the thing with feathers, 2019
video

In HAM Helsinki Art Museum Collection

T for Terracotta
4 – 28 Aug 2016
installation view
Photo: Jussi Tiainen

Ring Tone (en plein air), 2016
HD video (still), stereo sound
loop 1:47 min
Edition of 5

In Saastamoinen Foundation Collection

Felt the Moonlight on My Feet, 2017
Bespoke leather tap shoes adapted with felt, accoustic platform, three dance pieces as poetry readings made in collaboration with a tap dancer

Screen Test for a Living Sculpture, 2012
with Sini Pelkki
multi-channel installation, monitors
loop 1 min

Selection of available works. For the full list, please contact galerie(at)anhava.com

Polynotknot (and they bloom), 2023
4K video, shuffle play, stereo sound
endless duration
ed. 5

The Inked and their Incandescent Irreverence (16), 2023
site-specific wall painting
size variable
ed. 3

Not-knot (to spill), 2023
wood cut and other printing on paper, unique
90,5 x 244 cm

No Dot on the I, 2021
4K video, stereo sound
10’36” loop
edition of 5

U for Ultramarine, 2016
woodcut
96 x 98 cm

Human Flesh, 2019
2 K video, stereo
16 min.
edition 5

Ring Tone (en plein air), 2016
HD video, stereo sound
loop 1:47 min
edition of 5

A, 2018-2019
wood relief
90 x 84 cm

J for Jade, 2016
woodcut
97 x 85 cm

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BioCVExhibitions

Exhibitions

Bio

JANI RUSCICA (b. 1978) is a Finnish-Italian artist, who combines a wide range of different forms of artistic expression: the moving image, sculpture and performance engage in a dialogue with images, audio and language. Ruscica’s multidimensional works are prepared in collaboration with professionals and experts in different areas. Their cross-disciplinary method in art is characterised by an analytical and cultural-anthropological approach. Through their works, Ruscica discusses issues of representation and relations of meaning. Alongside the things that are made visible, equal importance is given to dead zones and interstices that remain undefined.

A shared feature of Ruscica’s work is that they explore themes and elements of performativity, materiality, sculpturality and transitions between different forms of expression and spaces. The works are characterised by a humane and explorative approach occasionally mixed with humour. Ultimately, they have to do with communication, the transmission of meanings and experiences – and its challenges – and how a message, sign or object removed from a familiar context will open up new perspectives and opportunities for interpretation.

CV

download as pdf

JANI RUSCICA

Born 1978 in Savonlinna, Finland
Lives and works in Helsinki

EDUCATION
2006 de Ateliers, Amsterdam
2003–2007 Academy of Fine Arts, Helsinki (MFA Fine Art)
1999–2002 Chelsea College of Art and Design, London (BA Fine Art)
1998–1999 Camberwell College of Arts, London (Diploma in Foundation Studies)

PUBLIC ART COMMISSIONS
2023 Begin. Again, commissioned by HAM Helsinki Art Museum for the Helsinki Upper Secondary School of Language
2019 Hope is the thing with feathers, commissioned by HAM Helsinki Art Museum for the Helsinki Central Library Oodi
2018 Flatlands, commissioned by the Lönnström Art Museum, performed at various locations
2012 Screen Test for a Living Sculpture, with Sini Pelkki, commissioned by MoMA PS1 and Creative Time, New York for MTV Global

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

  • 2023
    • Not-knot, Galerie Anhava, Helsinki
  • 2022
    • No Dot on the I, Kunsthalle Helsinki
  • 2021
    • Tarwe en walnoot, 1646 experimental art space, The Hague
  • 2019
    • Human Flesh, Galerie Anhava, Helsinki
    • Screen Test for a Living Sculpture, with Sini Pelkki, Visual Overture, Helsinki Music Centre
    • Human Flesh, Poppositions, Brussels
  • 2018
    • Fold in and Fall Flat, CAG Galleries, University of Connecticut, curat. Barry Rosenberg
  • 2017
    • M for Mauve, Otto Zoo, Milan
  • 2016
    • Conversation in Pieces, KIASMA Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki
    • T for Terracotta, Galerie Anhava, Helsinki
  • 2014
    • Screen Test, Otto Zoo Gallery, Milan
    • Travelogue, Suburban PS, Rotterdam
  • 2013
    • Space Release#16, Scene Shifts, in six movements, CIRCA Projects, Newcastle
    • Conversation in Pieces, (Pt.1), Galerie Anhava, Helsinki
    • Lighthouse, Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova, Turku
  • 2012
    • Scene Shifts, Hilary Crisp, London
  • 2011
    • Scene Shifts, Gallery Forum Box, Helsinki
  • 2010
    • Parallel Acts, Otto Zoo Gallery, Milan
    • Travelogue, Camden Arts Centre, London Parallel Acts, Turku Art Museum, Turku
    • Parallel Acts, Gallery Hippolyte, Helsinki
  • 2009
    • Evolutions, Reinier van Ewijk Projects, Amsterdam
  • 2008
    • Evolutions, Helsinki City Art Museum, Kluuvi Art Gallery
    • Tapis, coussins et video – Jani Ruscica, 36th International La Rochelle Film Festival, La Rochelle
    • Short Profile – Jani Ruscica, 37th International Rotterdam Film Fesival, Rotterdam
  • 2007
    • Beatbox alternate take, Studio, Kunsthalle Helsinki
    • Five Variations on a Theme, Gallery Huuto, Helsinki
  • 2006
    • Contrapuntal, VAE10, Visual Arts Gallery of the Cultural Center of Ricardo Palma University, Lima
  • 2005
    • Swan Song, Rauma Art Museum, Rauma
  • 2004
    • Medley, Finnish Academy of Fine Arts Gallery, Helsinki

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

  • 2023
    • Very Small Feelings, Kiran Nadar Museum, New Delhi, India, curat. Akansha Rastogi, Diana Campbell Betancourt
    • Bonna’, 6th Dhaka Art Summit, Dhaka, Bangladesh, curat. Diana Campbell Betancourt, Akansha Rastogi
    • Shared Space’ HAM, Helsinki Art Museum, Helsinki, curat. Kristiina Ljokkoi, Aleksandra Kiskonen
  • 2021
    • Selected works from Galerie Anhava artists, Galerie Anhava, Helsinki
    • Impressions – works from the Wihuri collection, Rovaniemi Art Museum, Rovaniemi, Finland
  •  2020
    • Bodied, AGWA, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth, curat. Rachel Ciesla
    • Touch – Works from the Saastamoinen collection, EMMA Museum, Espoo, Finland
    • Frail Liberation, Södertälje Konsthall, Sweden, curat. Joanna Sandell
  •  2019
    • The Studio for Arousing Tools: Assembly V, Drop City, Antwerp
    • The Exercise Park, as part of Jacquelin Davis’s The Lottery Project, curat. Sakari Tervo
    • Upside Down: works from the collection of the Saastamoinen Foundation, Kuopio Art Museum, Kuopio
  • 2018
    • Everything was Forever Until It was No More, 1st Riga International Biennial of Contemporary Art, curat. Katerina Gregos
    • If You Care to See Me, You Should Think About It, Otto Zoo Gallery, Milan
  • 2017
    • The Studio for Arousing Tools, M HKA, Antwerp, curat. Drop City, Sam Watson
    • Body Image, Wäinö Aaltonen Art Museum, Turku, curat. Piia Oksanen
    • Triple Point of Matter, Fondation Fiminco, Paris, curat. Matthieu Lelièvre
  • 2016
    • Passengers, Salon Dahlmann, Berlin, curat. Christine Nippe
    • Discovery Award 2016, MAC Museu d’Art de Cerdanyola, Cerdanyola de Vallés, Barcelona
  • 2015
    • Family Guys, Otto Zoo Gallery, Milan
    • Wohin gehen wir?, Videokunst zur Stadtgesellschaft, Motorenhalle, Projektzentrum für zeitgenössische Kunst, Dresden
  • 2014
    • Shifting Identities, MACRO Museo d’Arte Contemporanea Roma, curat. Ludovico Pratesi
    • A View from the Other Side, Moonshin Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea, curat. Seihee Shon & Jinhee Na
    • Festival of Positive Misunderstanding, Gallery Augusta, curat. Diego Bruno & Mikko Kuorinki
  • 2013
    • I See You, Kunsthalle Detroit, Museum of Contemporary Art, curat. Tate Osten
    • Shadows of a Doubt, Tallin Art Hall, curat. Niekolaas Johannes Lekkerkerk
    • Cumulus Olympia, Kunsthall Grenland, Porsgrunn, Norway, curat. Tom Hovinbøle & Laura Köönikkä
    • Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Money – Art After Social Media Era, K11 Art Space, Shanghai, curat. Li Zhenhua & Marita Muukkonen
    • Found in Translation, Chapter M, at Natalie’s Place’ Art Brussels, curat. Emmanuel Lambion
    • After the arc – an island: Findings by Team B, Botkyrka Konsthall, Tumba, Sweden, curat. Joanna Sandell
    • After the arc – an island: Findings by Team B, The Finnish Institute Gallery, Stockholm, curat. Joanna Sandell
    • Re-Timed Pokerface, Be-Part Platform Voor Actuele Kunst, Waregem, curat. Sofie Van Loo
  • 2012
    • Sounding Selves, Dalhousie University Art Gallery, Halifax, curat. Heather Anderson
    • Travelogue, Louis Vuitton Store, Rome
    • Me, You, We and the Others, Museo Civico di Reggio, 7th European Photography Festival, Reggio, curat. Julia Draganovic & Claudia Loeffelholz
    • William Lamson, Jules Marquis, Jani Ruscica, West, Den Haag, curat. Marie-José Sondeijker
    • Ventotto, Otto Zoo Gallery, Milan
    • No Exit – Helsinki Photography Biennial 2012, Helsinki City Art Museum, curat. Jari Harju, Ari Kakkinen, Harri Pälviranta, Kari Soinio, Hanna Weselius
    • Aboard the Heart of Gold, Museo Universitario di Palazzo Poggi, Bologna Art First, Italy
  • 2011
    • Believe It or Not – New Works from the Collection, Helsinki Art Museum Meilahti
    • Found in Translation – Chapter L, Casino Luxembourg, Forum d’art Contemporain, Luxembourg
    • The Limits, Kitchener and Waterloo Art Gallery, Kitchener, CAN, curat. Crystal Mowry
    • Nordic Art Today: Conceptual Debts, Broken Dreams and New Horizons, Loft Project Etagi, St Petersburg
    • START/PLAY, Museo Pecci, Milan
    • Architecture in Words Only, Hilary Crisp, London
  • 2010
    • International 10: S.Q.U.A.T. Liverpool, 6th Liverpool Biennial
    • Highlights from the KunstFilmBiennale, KUNST-WERKE BERLIN, Institute for Contemporary Art
    • The New Black ‘n’ White, Temple Bar Gallery & Studios, Dublin
    • The Allegory of the Cave, Art Container, Tallinn
    • Arrivals and Departures, Fondo Mole Vanvitelliana, Ancona, IT
    • Cosmogonia, Museo Cappelini, Bologna, IT
  • 2009
    • Life Forms, Bonniers Konsthall, Stockholm
    • Favoured Nations, 5th Momentum Biennial, Moss
    • Coping with Contingency: Seven Methods, Art Moscow, Moscow
    • Variations on the finiteness of human vision, Riga Art Space, Riga
    • Ecology of Emotion, The 14th Mänttä Art Festival, Mänttä
    • Tracking Traces… 10th Exhibition of Works from the Collection, KIASMA Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki
    • Urban Research, PICTURA, Dordrecht, Netherlands
    • Continuous Present, Galleri Studio 44, Stockholm
  • 2008
    • Tangential Documentaries, KIASMA Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki
    • Wenn Wissenschaft zur Kunst wird, Synart Gallery, Frankfurt, Germany
    • Five Variations on the Finitness of Human Vision, Cultural Center Belgrad, Artget Gallery
    • Continuum, Art Centre Retretti, Punkaharju
    • Like a Man, Agenzia04, Bologna
    • Maan Asema/La Position de la Terre, CRAC Alsace, Centre Rhenan d’Art Contemporain, Altkirch
    • Festart08’ TR1, Tampere Art Museum, Tampere
  • 2007
    • Nine International Artists, Location 1, New York
    • In Search of the Miraculous, 5th Triennial of Finnish Art, Kunsthalle Helsinki
    • Offspring, De Ateliers, Amsterdam
    • City Borderlands, Nordens Hus, Reykjavik
    • City Borderlands, Kaliningrad Art Museum, Kaliningrad
  • 2006
    • Omasta takaa, Kuopio Art Museum, Kuopio
    • Suspended E-motions, Vartai Gallery, Vilnius
    • City Borderlands, Fredriks Bastion, Copenhagen
    • The Metaphysics of Youth, Ex Cofa, Fuori Uso, Pescara
    • Young Artists 2006, Kunsthalle Helsinki
  • 2005
    • Small Heaven, Young Artists Biennale, Kunsthalle Helsinki
    • Polyfonia, Jetty Barracks Gallery, Helsinki
    • Art Goes Kapakka, Via, Helsinki
    • Graduate exhibition, Academy of Fine Arts, Helsinki
    • Swan Song, Holden Gallery, Manchester
  • 2003
    • Young Artists 2003, Kunsthalle Helsinki

SELECTED SCREENINGS

  • 2012
    • International Tiger Awards for Short Film, 41st International Film Festival Rotterdam
  • 2011
    • 21st Rio de Janeiro International Short Film Festival, Curta Cinema Film Travel
    • 40th International Film Festival Rotterdam, curat. Peter van Hoof
    • RESPONSE:ABILITY, Transmediale 11, Berlin
    • IHME 2011 Contemporary Art Festival, Helsinki
    • 7th 25 FPS International Experimental Film and Video Festival, Zagreb
    • 16th Ourense International Film Festival, Ourense
    • Unravelling a bit of the Universe, Saw Gallery, Ottawa
  • 2010
    • Screening IV / Film as the Stage, KIASMA Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki
    • 4th Cairo Video and Experimental Film Festival, Cairo
    • 7th Filmfest Eberswalde, Germany
    • Nordic Delight, Institut Suedois, Paris
    • Rencontres Audiovisuelles, Lille
    • 15th Ourense Film Festival, Ourense, Spain
    • 18th International Curtas Vila do Conde, Portugal
    • Package Deals, Scandinavia House, New York
    • Package Deals, Film Forum, Seattle
    • 41st International Tampere Short Film Festival, Tampere
    • Kinos10 Shortfilm Festival, Lahti
    • Future Shorts, Gloria Biograf, Copenhagen
  • 2009
    • If you ever have the blues, TATE Modern, London
    • Kunstfilm Biennale, Museum Ludwig, Cologne
    • Falstaff International Film festival, Stratford Upon-Avon
    • Darklight Film Festival, Dublin
    • 5th 25 FPS Festival, Zagreb
    • Exis, Exprerimental Film and Video Festival, Seoul
    • Magma, Mostra di Cinema Breve, Acireale
    • Shift-Time festival, Shrewsbury
    • Arctic Hysteria on Screen, Ludwig Museum, Budapest
    • VIDEOEX festival, Zürich
    • Together, Alone, 
The Power Plant, Toronto
    • 55th International Oberhausen Short Film Festival
    • Courtisane Short Film and Media Art Festival, Ghent
  • 2008
    • Video Lounge,’ 28th Sao Paolo Biennial
    • Amerika, Werkleitz – Zentrum fuer Medienkunst, Centre for Media Art, Halle Kasseler Dokumumentarfilm- & videofest, Kassel
    • Arctic Hysteria on screen, MoMA, New York
    • Prospectif Cinema, Centre Pompidou, Paris, curat. Cristina Agostinelli
    • Unclassifiable‘ Darling Foundry Visual Arts Center, Montreal
    • New Nordic Voices, Nordisk Panorama, Malmö
    • The Pathologies of the tourist experience, Pist /// Interdisciplinary Project Space, Istanbul
    • 8th International Bunker Film festival Ventimiglia
    • Unclassifiable, Ovegaden Institute for Contemporary Art, Copenhagen
    • 23rd International Short Film Festival, Hamburg
    • Lezioni di Paesaggio, Colonia Montana di Renesso, Savignone, Italy
    • Cinema et Video d’Artistes, Maison Europeenne de la Photographie, Paris
    • Courtisane Short Film and Media Art Festival, Ghent
    • EMAF – European Media Art festival, Osnabtück
    • Stream of Electrons, Institute Finlandes, Paris
    • Nigh on Earth, Vorspiel Gallery, Berlin
    • Kinos 08, Lahti
    • City Life, International Tampere Shortfilm festival, Tampere, FI & Oberhausen International Shortfilm Festival
    • Urban Research 2, Directors Lounge, Berlin
    • Trunk – The Nordic Art Video Festival, Färgfabriken, Stockholm; Sundsvall
    • Kulturmagasin; Kramfors Cinema, Kramfors
  • 2007
    • Trunk – The Nordic Art Video Festival, Östersund
    • Kettupäivät, Film Festival, Andorra, Helsinki
    • FILMlandia, Laydown Gallery, Madrid
    • From the fringes of Finland, Arnolfini, Bristol
    • Kingdom Come, Images Festival, Workman Theatre, Toronto
    • Urban research, Directors Lounge, Berlinale, Berlin
    • View 07, Andorra, Helsinki
    • International Tampere Short Film Festival, Plevna
  • 2006
    • International Uppsala Short Film Festival
    • Swinging Siniging North, Paris Photo
    • Frieze Art Fair, London
    • YLE TV1, Finnish National Television
    • Breaking the Ice, Kunstmuseum, Bonn
    • LOOP Festival, Barcelona
    • International Tampere Short Film Festival, Tampere
    • View 06, Korjaamo, Helsinki
  • 2005
    • Kettupäivät, Andorra, Helsinki
    • Filmstuben 2, Berlin
  • 2004
    • Art Centre Pushkinskaya 10, St. Petersburg

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS
2018 William Thuring Main Prize, The Finnish Art Society
2017 Nomination for the Finnish Art Academy Award
2012 Fremtids Blikket, Best Innovative Film, KinoKino Short Film Festival, Sandnes
2010 The AVEK Award, Promotion Centre for Audiovisual Culture Finland AVEK, Helsinki
2009 Main Prize, KunstFilm Biennale, Cologne
2009 Best Experimental Film, Magma Mostra di Cinema Breve, Acireale
2006 Shortlist, The Cartier Award, Frieze Art Fair, London

WORKS IN COLLECTIONS (SELECTION)
Centre Pompidou, Musée national d’art moderne, Paris
KIASMA Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki
State Art Collection, Finland
HAM Helsinki Art Museum
Kuopio Art Museum
The Finnish-Institute in London
Finnish Art Association