OUR VOICE YOUR CHOICE
OUR VOICE YOUR CHOICE
NU20 is a photo exhibition for vocational education students in Nordic countries. The NU exhibitions have been held yearly since 2017 by Prakticum Vocational College in Helsinki (www.prakticum.fi).
The aim of the exhibition is to collaborate with photo education in the Nordic countries and give students and schools a platform to get visibility and promote themselves.
NU20 exhibition is presented at Luckan Culture space in Helsinki, Finland from March 5th- March 26th, 2020. During the same time, NU20 is also shown digitally at Nordic Culture Point.
NU20 includes student work from LBS from Gothenburg, Sweden, and Prakticum Vocational College from Helsinki and Porvoo, Finland.
For more information contact:
Nina Sederholm [email protected]
Connection is a Choice
by A. D. Coleman
Unexpectedly, over the past year a teenage Nordic girl has become the spokesperson for an international protest against widespread heel-dragging and outright denial in the face of catastrophic global warming. So it seems appropriate that, at such a moment, the theme of this exhibition should ask the young Nordic photographers represented in this project to look for ways to manifest in visual imagery the urgent issues of voice and choice.
One might anticipate a collective response emphasizing documentary and reportage, a concentration on social and political issues, yet that emerges as a minor aspect of this project, evident only in one image of someone staring at an abandoned, decrepit industrial building defaced or, one might argue, beautified by graffiti.
Participants
FINLAND
Media Teacher (Photography)
Nina Sederholm
Media Teacher (Design)
Rasmus Kyllönen
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Melissa Grönqvist
Anton Holmberg
Vincent Holmberg
Isabella Fahlsten
Michael Lang
Lia Sivén
SWEDEN
Media Teacher
Sara Eva Samuelsson
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Lisa Johnsson
Ellliot Lindström
Gustav Rogestedt
Julia Krezel
Alexandra Åström
Isabelle Vesterlund
WEBSITE CREDITS
Design & illustrations
Evgeniia Shikhova
Interpretation
Vera Örså
ALEXANDER
My name Alex, born 2001, living in Gothenburg. I live in a boring apartment with my father worth millions but I’m planning on moving to an old garage in near future. As a photographer I’m interested in darker and deep photos that can be seen as harmful for some people. I also like to take portraits with a more or less gothic style. Im using my dads old digital camera that is almost as old as myself. It has this shitty style of not wanting to work all the time. I don’t really care about the future I just try to live in the moment and let the wind take me wherever it wants.
ALEXANDRA
Be the side you want to be
We are all different as humans. And what is more powerful than having differences? I have always been different, from the day I was born with a rockabilly-hairstyle, to being this crazy photo-and cinematographer that I am today. My name is Alexandra Åström Kaleva, and live in Gothenburg’s archipelago. As a photographer, my focus is mostly on things that are out of the ordinary. I like when photographs are like an undefined puzzle, so whenever you put your glasses on to see the reality, you can look at it from different perspectives. AKA, be who you want to be.
ELLIOT
My name’s Elliott, I’m a 16 years old, living in Guldheden. I take photos that reflect the music I listen to, I thought of Slint’s – Spiderland when taking these, specifically the final track “Good Morning, Captain” – I believe every photo has a song that can be accompanied to it, some deliberate some accidents. There’s a Jesus figure in the second photo, I found it in a jacket laying next to a tree, there’s some other objects in there too. My goal for the future is just to express what I’m feeling.
gustav
When it comes to photography however, I’ve always been very sceptical towards it. Not to say that I do not like photographs, but whenever I do see “modern” photographs I mostly just feel drained of creativity. It feels we’ve gone back to the pioneering age of photography. Stale and emotionless people standing in a pose, dressed in expensive clothing and just standing. I shall not drag all modern photographers over a line, but it is what I feel a majority of photographs today has become. I want feeling and emotion, and that is what drives me forward in my photography-journey.
Isabelle
My name’s Isabelle Vesterlund and I’m am an 18-year-old from Gothenburg. I live with my mother, stepfather, and two stepbrothers. Our house is on top of a great hill with a view of the whole village, surrounded by a beautiful forest.
For me, nature will always be the most beautiful thing we can find, which is what I strive to reflect in my photography. With just a simple digital camera I found a passion for photography. Now I hope to develop this passion into a future job, where I can help show all the beauty around us.
isabella
My name is Isabella, I am 17 years old and I am an aspiring photographer. I study graphic design and do some photography in my free time. I also like to make short videos and films. I post some of my photos on my Instagram under the name @tonttulord_artist
In my opinion, the photos I took show the kind of photography I like to do. I like close-up pictures of different objects in nature. I also like to capture nature in motion. I love taking pictures of birds and zooming in on their feathers and seeing every tiny detail.
I also like to edit my pictures in a way that brings out only some colors in the picture, as I think it looks more cohesive.
Julia
I’m 15 years old and live in Partille in Sweden with my parents and sister, but I also am from Poland. The photos I chose were taken in Poland where I live by the mountains.
I like taking natural photos, then I give in to real feelings, true personality. If I have to add artificial light, I prefer delicate and rather warm, such as candles. I want to show happiness and shareit, so I’m trying to take pictures that shows it. But I also love views such ass unsets or something similar. That’s why I chose these pictures, to show happiness and a view of our wonderful world. It’s so simple and so beautiful.
lia
My name is Lia Sivén, I’m 17 years old. How I look at “ Our voice Your choice “ is that we (the youth) say something to you (the politicians, the world rulers, etc.). But will you do anything or will you listen?
Are we drowning?
The earth is getting warmer due to climate change, the ice is melting. The water surface is rising. There’s a lot more flooding and people have to escape the water. The cap represents the youth.
Lost lives
The shoes symbolize all the innocent people who died due to wars and world conflicts.
Is this home?
They say “ home sweet home “, but some people don’t think that.
Instagram: @liasiven
lisa
Hello, I’m Lisa Johansson, a 17-year-old photography student from Gothenburg. How I would describe myself as a photographer? Specializing in documenting but with a passion for artistic photography as well. I call my photo work “This is figure-skating”. With this series of pictures, I wanted to document and show the complexity of a sport that, on the outside, is known for being beautiful but nothing more. To perfect the art that is figure skating it takes technique, characterization, and practice, practice, practice. Each of my pictures is meant to show one of these aspects. Enjoy.
Melissa
Hi, my name is Melissa Grönqvist, I am a visual artist and these are my pictures and thoughts about Nu20.
Motivation
I came into this project with an open mind to explore and uncover my abilities to create. I’ve put in a great deal of effort to make these images possible for your eyes to grace upon.
Thought
My first thought when I heard “our voice, your choice” is something a little more vicious and threatening; something we carry with us every day, like two sides of a coin, something we may not notice that we are thinking about or is bothering us daily, but when they become overpowering and take over your every thought it becomes your immortal enemy or better said “Your inner demons”. It is the “demons” who whisper lies in our ears about ourselves and we choose to believe them, even though what they say may not even be true, and so I interpret the theme.
Anton
Hi, my name is Anton Holmberg. I’m an 18-year-old Media student from Helsinki, Finland, who likes to take pictures. I’ve always liked photography, but only lately have I gotten more into it and started to photograph more.
The photos in NU20 reflect my style and show what I like to photograph, and since I like to take many different types of pictures, it was hard to choose these three, but I chose these pictures because I feel like they reflect my style quite well.
My favorite types of photography are nature/landscape and detail pictures., I haven’t taken many portraits, but I would also like to explore that more. I’m not sure yet what I want to do in the future, but I would want to explore the world and, photograph it.
Instagram @antonrandom
Michael
Hello, my name is Michael and I’m a 17-year- old student from Helsinki. I’ve always liked to play around with cameras, but it never occurred to me to take photography to a professional level until I graduated from comprehensive school and decided to obtain a qualification in Media.
Recently, I’ve started to be keener into the analog part of photography due to the mystery and excitement behind it. Not knowing what it looks like before you develop the film roll, is what excites me. However, I do also like capturing colorful photos with a digital camera, so there is no in between. What I am trying to achieve with my work is to capture my melancholy vibe into it.
Vincent
My name is Vincent, but you can call me Vinny. I’m a 17- year- old half Thai – half Swedish-speaking Finn, who lives in Espoo, Finland, right now. I have been photographing seriously for a half year now. I like to go out with my friends to cool locations and photograph.
We mostly do urban and architecture photography since we live near the city. I don’t do much portrait photography, but I like having the human element in my photos. I like to have vibrant colors in my photos, especially orange. But it depends on what type of photo it is. In nature and architecture, I like to have more of a desaturated color grade with a green tint. In the future, I would like to be a concert and landscape photographer, as well as to travel and photograph the world.
Instagram @vin.nny
ALEXANDER
My name is Alex, born in 2001, living in Gothenburg. I live in a boring apartment with my father worth millions but I’m planning on moving to an old garage in near future. As a photographer, I’m interested in darker and deep photos that can be seen as harmful for some people. I also like to take portraits with a more or less gothic style. I’m using my dad’s old digital camera that is almost as old as myself. It has this shitty style of not wanting to work all the time. I don’t really care about the future I just try to live in the moment and let the wind take me wherever it wants.
Alexandra
Be the side you want to be
We are all different as humans. And what is more powerful than having differences? I have always been different, from the day I was born with a rockabilly-hairstyle, to being this crazy photo-and cinematographer that I am today. My name is Alexandra Åström Kaleva, and live in Gothenburg’s archipelago. As a photographer, my focus is mostly on things that are out of the ordinary. I like when photographs are like an undefined puzzle, so whenever you put your glasses on to see the reality, you can look at it from different perspectives. AKA, be who you want to be.
Elliott
My name’s Elliott, I’m a 16 years old, living in Guldheden. I take photos that reflect the music I listen to, I thought of Slint’s – Spiderland when taking these, specifically the final track “Good Morning, Captain” – I believe every photo has a song that can be accompanied to it, some deliberate some accidents. There’s a Jesus figure in the second photo, I found it in a jacket laying next to a tree, there’s some other objects in there too. My goal for the future is just to express what I’m feeling.
gustav
When it comes to photography however, I’ve always been very sceptical towards it. Not to say that I do not like photographs, but whenever I do see “modern” photographs I mostly just feel drained of creativity. It feels we’ve gone back to the pioneering age of photography. Stale and emotionless people standing in a pose, dressed in expensive clothing and just standing. I shall not drag all modern photographers over a line, but it is what I feel a majority of photographs today has become. I want feeling and emotion, and that is what drives me forward in my photography-journey.
Isabelle
My name’s Isabelle Vesterlund and I’m am an 18 year old from Gothenburg. I live with my mother, stepfather and two stepbrothers. Our house is on top of a great hill with a view the whole village, surrounded by a beautiful forest.
For me, the nature will always be the most beautiful thing we can find, which is what I strive to reflect in my photography. With just a simple digital camera I found passion for photography. Now I hope to develop this passion into a future job, where I can help showing all the beauty around us.
Isabella
My name is Isabella, I am 17 years old and I am an aspiring photographer. I study graphic design and do some photography in my free time. I also like to make short videos and films. I post some of my photos on my Instagram under the name @tonttulord_artist
In my opinion, the photos I took show the kind of photography I like to do. I like close-up pictures of different objects in nature. I also like to capture nature in motion. I love taking pictures of birds and zooming in on their feathers and seeing every tiny detail. I also like to edit my pictures in a way that brings out only some colors in the picture, as I think it looks more cohesive.
Julia
I’m 15 years old and live in Partille in Sweden with my parents and sister, but I also am from Poland. The photos I chose were taken in Poland where I live by the mountains.
I like taking natural photos, then I give in to real feelings, true personality. If I have to add artificial light, I prefer delicate and rather warm, such as candles. I want to show happiness and share it, so I’m trying to take pictures that show it. But I also love views such ass unsets or something similar. That’s why I chose these pictures, to show happiness and a view of our wonderful world. It’s so simple and so beautiful.
Lia
My name is Lia Sivén, I’m 17 years old. How I look at “ Our voice Your choice “ is that we (the youth) say something to you (the politicians, the world rulers etc.). But will you do anything or will you listen?
Are we drowning?
The earth is getting warmer due to climate change, the ice is melting. The water surface is rising. There’s a lot more flooding and people have to escape the water. The cap represents the youth.
Lost lives
The shoes symbolize all the innocent people who died due to wars and world conflicts.
Is this home?
They say “ home sweet home “, but some people don’t think that.
Instagram: @liasiven
Lisa
Hello, I’m Lisa Johansson, a 17 year old photography student from Gothenburg. How I would describe myself as a photographer? Specializing in documenting but with a passion for artistic photography as well. I call my photo work “This is figureskating”. With this series of pictures I wanted to document and show the complexity of a sport that, on the outside, is known for being beautiful but nothing more. To perfect the art that is figure skating it takes technique, characterization and practice, practice, practice. Each of my pictures are meant to show one of these aspects. Enjoy.
Melissa
Hi, my name is Melissa Grönqvist, I am a visual artist and these are my pictures and thoughts about Nu20.
Motivation
I came into this project with an open mind to explore and uncover my abilities to create. I’ve put in a great deal of effort to make these images possible for your eyes to grace upon.
Thought
My first thought when I heard “our voice, your choice” is something a little more vicious and threatening; something we carry with us every day, like two sides of a coin, something we may not notice that we are thinking about or is bothering us daily, but when they become overpowering and take over your every thought it becomes your immortal enemy or better said “Your inner demons”.
Anton
Hi, my name is Anton Holmberg. I’m an 18-year-old Media student from Helsinki, Finland, who likes to take pictures.
I’ve always liked photography, but only lately have I gotten more into it and started to photograph more.
The photos in NU20 reflect my style and show what I like to photograph, and since I like to take many different types of pictures, it was hard to choose these three, but I chose these pictures because I feel like they reflect my style quite well.
My favorite types of photography are nature/landscape and detail pictures., I haven’t taken many portraits, but I would also like to explore that more. I’m not sure yet what I want to do in the future, but I would want to explore the world and, photograph it.
Instagram @antonrandom
Michael
Hello, my name is Michael and I’m a 17-year- old student from Helsinki. I’ve always liked to play around with cameras, but it never occurred to me to take photography to a professional level until I graduated from comprehensive school and decided to obtain a qualification in Media.
Recently, I’ve started to be keener on the analog part of photography due to the mystery and excitement behind it. Not knowing what it looks like before you develop the film roll, is what excites me. However, I do also like capturing colorful photos with a digital camera, so there is no in between. What I am trying to achieve with my work is to capture my melancholy vibe into it.
Vincent
My name is Vincent, but you can call me Vinny. I’m a 17- year- old half Thai – half
Swedish-speaking Finn, who lives in Espoo, Finland, right now. I have been photographing seriously for a half year now. I like to go out with my friends to cool locations and photograph.
We mostly do urban and architecture photography since we live near the city. I don’t do much portrait photography, but I like having the human element in my photos. I like to have vibrant colors in my photos, especially orange. But it depends on what type of photo it is. In nature and architecture, I like to have more of a desaturated color grade with a green tint. In the future, I would like to be a concert and landscape photographer, as well as to travel and photograph the world.
Instagram @vin.nny
