Meeri Koutaniemi, Irti kuvasta is a Finnish documentary series on Yle Teema that offers a unique and intimate look into the world of Finnish artists. Hosted by acclaimed photographer and visual artist Meeri Koutaniemi, the third season explores themes of creativity, identity, and the process of shedding artistic inhibitions.
In this six-episode third season, Koutaniemi serves as our guide, traveling the country to meet a new cadre of contemporary artists. She’s not just there for a chat; she’s looking for the scar tissue, the stories etched into their bones. Each episode is a two-way street, connecting the artist’s personal odyssey to a classic Finnish artwork that haunts their vision. It’s a testament to the idea that the creative struggle is a timeless beast, a legacy passed down through generations.
The lineup is as eclectic as the Finnish landscape itself. We meet the filmmaker, sculptor, and musician Anssi Kasitonni and the multidisciplinary artist Nayab Noor Ikram. We sit with the outsider artist Jori Tapio Kalliola, the design duo Aamu Song & Johan Olin, the sculptor Kim Simonsson, and the visual artist Kaarina Kaikkonen. This isn’t a tour of a sterile art museum; it’s a peek behind the curtain, a look at how these creators see the world, and how their art shapes their reality.
The final act of each encounter is where Koutaniemi creates a portrait of each artist, a process that is both a collaboration and a powerful act of a true artist. It’s not just about taking a picture. It’s about seeing past the surface, understanding the life lived, and capturing the unvarnished truth of who they are. This series isn’t just about art; it’s about the people who make it, and the beautiful, messy ways they interpret and transform our world.
