Miniprint Finland 2001, a huge job
Lahti hosts the fourth international miniprint exhibition, Miniprint Finland 2001. This triennial event has found its own important place among international exhibitions. The idea of a miniature art exhibition was first introduced as early as the 1970s by artist Matti Koskela, who had participated in Hungarian miniature sculpture exhibitions many times. It took some time for the idea to mature and crystallise. Lahti has had strong traditions in making miniprints ever since the 1950s and many talented modern printmakers have graduated from Lahti Institute of Fine Arts - so hosting an international miniprint exhibition seemed like a natural choice. The Graphic Artist Association of Lahti has been in charge of the arrangements since the beginning and has been supported by Lahti City Museum since 1998.
The first Miniprint year 1992 centred on Finnish miniature printmaking and news of a new triennial spread abroad, the Scandinavian countries especially, from mouth to mouth through, from one artist to another. The printmakers' own gallery 'Marian Portti' served as the original exhibition space, the second time additional space was needed and found in 'Pihagalleria'.
The year 2001 Miniprint arrangements have had a very professional touch to them although most of them have mainly taken the form of unpaid volunteer work: two thousand invitations were sent out all over the world and close to 3000 entries arrived from 800 artists representing 57 countries. An international jury selected 446 works of arts from 202 artists to be put on show. The exhibition displays the wide spectrum of modern miniature printmaking, representing both well-known artists as well as young talented newcomers. The small size of the works in only an advantage is this respect; sending the prints has been easy and inexpensive and also it has been possible to exhibit a wide selection of high-quality miniprints. Thus one single exhibition provides the viewer with an opportunity to get to know pictorial arts from different parts of the world.
The introduction of new techniques is an interesting feature in this exhibition. Interaction between traditional and digital photography and conventional techniques has produced strong visual experiences and new fresh insights. The artistic level of a print is not dependent on its size. A small print, when viewed from a close range, is merciless: the flaws cannot be hidden, but the line drawn by a steady hand is a mark of craftsmanship. Even a small picture can serve as a gate to the artist's imagination, it may tell a story, bring back a glimpse from the past, presence or future, or relay a strong aesthetic experience.
The Graphic Artist Association of Lahti has done a great job when bringing high-class printmaking into the city of Lahti from different parts of the world and I wish to express my warmest thanks to all the printmakers for their input. MINIPRINT FINLAND 2001 has been sponsored by Ministry of Education, Finnish Cultural Foudation/Fund of Päijät-Häme Province, Art Committee of Tavastia and Kauno/City if Lahti. I thank all our partners.
Jouko Heinonen
Director, Lahti City Museum
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