FINLAND
In her latest project photographer Wilma Hurskainen addresses foundations of feminism within the juxtaposition of contemporary photographic art vs. the tradition of family photographs. “Growth – Kasvu” explores these ideas by recreating photographs of Hurskainen and her three sisters taken by her father in their youth and placing the original alongside the recreation, taken by Hurskainen.
Changes in the scenery or landscape over the past however-many years are an easy indicator of Hurskainen’s failure at replication, as is the obvious growth of the four sisters as they overpower situations they had once been so diminutive in. On closer inspection, however, one can see a deeper appropriation of the artist’s achievement and expectant failure within the poses and characters of the four sisters themselves.
If the summer heat is getting you down, then consider booking an evening at the Snow Castle restaurant in Finland. The Snow Castle offers a unique experience of staying at a hotel and dining in a restaurant made of snow.
So, how does it work? The temperature in the hotel is at 23 degrees Fahrenheit, while offering the same amenities as a regular hotel- except wearing your coat and hat indoors is a must.
Luckily, the menu items aren't cold too. The restaurant serves local fish like salmon and perch served with vegetables. You can also find an array of soups and lamb on the menu.
Hanoi Rocks
Genre: Rock, Metal
Website: www.hanoirocks.info
“MTV calls itself Music Television so it is their obligation to show people where good music comes from. Kids these days don't even know what rock 'n' roll is. It's a good time for us to remind people about it so that the name Hanoi Rocks won't be forgotten.” – Mike Monroe (lead vocals)
Finland's major export to the world of heavy metal, Hanoi Rocks, drew much of their sound and inspiration from '70s glam-rock and were thought by some to have fused the two styles more successfully than similar acts such as Motley Crue. Hanoi Rocks was founded in 1980 by singer Michael Monroe (born Matti Fagerholm) and guitarist Andy McCoy (born Antti Hulkko); after some lineup changes, the rest of the group consisted of guitarist Nasty Suicide (born Jan Stenfors), bassist Sam Yaffa (born Saki Takamäki), and drummer Gyp Casino (born Jesper Sporre). Hanoi Rocks played anytime, anyplace and with anybody daring enough to share the stage with them and built their following a bit more, gig by gig. Hanoi Rocks had just released their major label debut on CBS, the now legendary "Two Steps From The Move", and were in L.A. to tour the US for real for the first time. Already having a following in the United States, Hanoi Rocks had gained momentum of such scale that a breakthrough as a result of not more than a year of touring was forthcoming. But then tragedy struck the band: Razzle, the drummer was killed in a car crash in California on December 9th 1984.
The 69 Eyes
Genre: Goth Metal
Website: www.69eyes.com
“I mean if a bad boy is an a**hole, then I don't want to be a bad boy. This image of being the bad boy of Rock'n'Roll - I don't know where it comes from, maybe from Mötley Crüe or from P.Diddy, bad boy for life.” – Jyrki69 (lead vocals)
The 69 Eyes are a very dramatic, Goth metal band, formed in the early '90s in Helsinki, Finland. They can be described as a “spooky” quartet influenced by Motörhead, the Stooges, the Dead Boys, and the Doors, as well as movies like The Crow, Lost Boys, and The Matrix. The band is said to be the missing link between The Cult and Type O Negative. The 69 Eyes have released several albums throughout the '90s and early 2000s. They first went gold in their native Finland with 2000's "Gothic Girl" single, and from then on their popularity increased. An anthology titled Framed in Blood: The Very Blessed of 69 Eyes was released in 2003 and initiated another phase for the band. They released another full-length album, Devils, in 2005 with its sequel, Angels, following in 2007. “We’re mainstream names in the rock scene in Finland," says singer Jyrki, "but we’re still known as a dark and mystical cult band everywhere else.
H.I.M
Genre: Rock, Goth Rock
Website: www.heartagram.com
“We're trying to have the band create something beautiful that hopefully one day, 20 years from now, can be picked up by a kid and hopefully have the same effect that Neil Young had on me, or Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath.” – Ville Valo (Lead Vocals)
After forming in Finland in 1995, H.I.M. (or His Infernal Majesty) set out on the path of goth forebears like Sisters of Mercy and the Mission UK. Vocalist and songwriter Ville Hermanni Valo was the band's founding member, alongside bassist Migé Amour, guitarist Lily Lazer, drummer Mikka Karppinen (aka Gas Lipstick), and keyboardist Zoltan Pluto. The 1996 EP 666 Ways to Love was the group's first recording, and it did quite well in Scandinavia. One year later, Greatest Love Songs, Vol. 666 solidified their cult status throughout the region; it featured a cover of Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game." Razorblade Romance was released in 2000, and H.I.M. supported it with an extensive European tour. Pluto departed after Romance and was replaced by Emerson Burton. Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights, the band's third album, arrived in 2002, followed by the Europe-only Love Metal in 2003. A series of compilations followed, including various versions of And Love Said No: Greatest Hits 1997-2004 and two discs of rarities titled Uneasy Listening, Vol. 1 and Uneasy Listening, Vol. 2. In 2005, H.I.M.'s early albums were reissued in America through Universal; they also released Dark Light, their official domestic debut. After achieving statewide success, the band began work on their sixth studio album, Venus Doom, released in mid-September 2007.
 |
 |
 |
 |
