|
‘Finnish Institute Independence
Day Party’ @ Generation X
11 - 13 New Wakefield Street, Manchester, M1
06.12.00
Sponsor: Finlandia Vodka
It is a tradition for the Finnish Institute to throw a spectacular
party on the 6th December - the date Finland gained independence
from Russia in 1917. The party, normally held in London where
the Institute is based, embraces today’s contemporary
Finnish arts. In 2000 the Finnish Institute brought the Independence
Day event to Manchester, a city the Institute’s arts
manager Paulina Ahokas compares to Helsinki in terms of the
creativity and initiatives injected into strengthening the
infrastructure of cultural organisations within their respective
cities.
The ID 2000 event started off with a screening of three short
films by Finnish film maker, Mika Taanila at The Cornerhouse
cinema 1. The three films to be featured are entitled Thank
You For The Music, Futuro, and RoboCup99.
Thank You For The Music (1997) shows the insidious effects
of super market muzak - ‘music based on scientific research’.
Futuro - A New Stance For Tomorrow (1998) won first prize
in the 1999 National Competition at Tampere Film Festival.
Futuro is a dramatic epic on the rise and fall of a 100% plastic
weekend cottage for the 21st century. This carefree Space
Age House was intended to be ‘purely mathematical’
and therefore a perfect solution to tomorrow’s housing
problems. Taanila’s latest film, RoboCup99 (2000), completes
his ‘Science & Progress’ trilogy. This is a
sports film about the Football World Cup played by autonomous
robots.
Further information on Mika Taanila can be found at: www.frame-fund.fi
The screening at the Cornerhouse was followed by a party bash
(with a complimentary Finlandia Vodka Bar) at Generation X
cafe bar. Based around Finnish retro / modern 60’s aesthetics,
the venue was transformed by Marimekko fabrics, a Finnish
based textiles company founded in 1951. Marimekko has three
product lines; clothing, interior decoration and accessories.
Bright, bold, funky textile hangings draped the interior of
Generation X and food was served on Marimekko plates. The
products the company designs are under licence in Finland,
the United States and Japan. This was the first time Marimekko
fabrics were displayed in Manchester and were a big hit with
the invited guests.
Further information on Marimekko can be found at: www.marimekko.fi
The evenings entertainment was be provided by Pepe Deluxe.
The group consists of three key members: James Spectrum, the
producer and programmer, JA-Jazz, who provides the live instrumentation,
and the ironically monickered DJ Slow, who is the four times
DMC Finnish champion who contributes laser sharp cuts and
scratches that form the rhythmic heart of Pepe Deluxe. Impossible
to categorise or pigeon hole, each member of Pepe Deluxe brings
their own flavour and influence to create a melting pot of
musical style and panache.
Pepe Deluxe formed in 1995 when Slow was contacted by the
cult San Francisco Bomb Hip-Hip Records who wanted him to
produce a tune for the second Return of the DJ compilation.
Slow asked JA-Jazz if he knew someone with producing skills
and thus James Spectrum entered the equation. The very first
session proved that each member had something unique to give
- three had become one: Pepe Deluxe was born.
Having attracted rave reviews of their awesome debut album
(Super Sound, RIDCD002), including album of the month in Ministry
Magazine, Pepe Deluxe have been getting mighty busy. They
have appeared on the "Battle Creek EP" alongside
Deadly Avenger, Jadell and The Bronx Dogs on Illicit Recordings,
contributed a Christmas song to a compilation celebrating
Santa Clause’s home of Lapland, Finland(!) as well as
remix work for Jack Knife Lee and Tom Jones. Pepe Deluxe have
also just recently provided the music for the entire Lee Jeans
TV campaign for North America.
This was Pepe Deluxe’s premier gig in Manchester and
was eagerly awaited by Manchester’s ever expanding music
scene.
Further information on Pepe Peluxe can be found at: www.catskillsrecords.com
Manchester’s arts, music, architecture and design professionals,
along with academic affairs professionals and the press, were
invited to ID2000 to sample some of the delights of Finland's
creative professionals. The event helped to form links between
the two countries, building a solid foundation for future
projects and connections between Finland - Manchester and
Manchester - Finland.
<
Previous Next
>
Back to Past
Exhibitions <
Home
| Past
| Current/Future
|
|
|
