Exhibitions about Nordic light have become a national cliché with a centuries-old tradition in Finnish art. The People in the Summer Night exhibition takes an affectionate look at clichés of nationality, the light of the northern summer, and of people in the nightless night.

Rosemarie Särkkä: We're all wearing Bloomers (2001)

"There is almost no summer night in the north; only a lingering evening, darkening slightly as it lingers, but even this darkening has its ineffable clarity." Thus begins F.E. Sillanpää's novel Ihmiset suviyössä (1934, quotation from People in the Summer Night, transl. by Alan Blair, 1966). The events are condensed into a single summer's night: people fall in love, rage, die and give birth. The novel's main character is the light summer night.

The Finnish Museum of Photography's People in the Summer Night exhibition takes a humorous look at the notion that the light of the Nordic summer is a fundamental part of the "Nordic national character" and of people's identity. The exhibition takes a long look at the light of summer, arousing feelings of nostalgia. Nostalgia is both an individual and communal experience, and is part of a positive sense of belonging.

On the other hand, the light night also has its dark side: something that should remain hidden is brought into view, into the light. The light night and national feeling also have their darks sides, and violence. The different photographic episodes turn the exhibition into a drama of light, of strong and frail women and men in the nightless night.

Valentin Vaala's 1948 film version of Sillanpää's People in the Summer Night will be shown non-stop throughout the exhibition.

Read more about Valentin Vaala's film from here.

Valentin Vaala, People in the Summer Night

The exhibition has been put together by Chief Curator Anna-Kaisa Rastenberger, assisted by Curator Tiina Rauhala. Most of the works in the exhibition are from the Finnish Museum of Photography's own collection.

Artist statements:

Minna L. Henriksson

Harri Pälviranta

Kristin Tårnesvik

Rosemarie Särkkä

Helga Härenstam: Gun, From the series The Society (2006-2009)