Cultural Activities and International Networks

The special characteristics of the art and design markets make them an especially rich field of study. For example, the unique nature of the products creates a high level of uncertainty; works of art are valued subjectively, and even the status of being a work of art is determined by the actors within the field. The value of a work of art is created by the interaction of a number of players, such as gallery owners, art critics and collectors, through shared opinions, shared information and shared ways of looking at works of art, both locally and internationally. The very status of being a product, a work of art, is determined by these interactive processes. A noteworthy part of the work of art market actors consists of information and knowledge production and distribution. Design and art market characteristics, such as the immaterial value of products created by the interaction between actors, the emphasis on information and knowledge, and the key role of relationships and networks, have recently been topics for investigation in economic research as well as in other fields.

This course will take you on a walk among these interactions between the actors, the places of interaction, and the institutional settings. We will look at the special characteristics, dynamics and aspects of international and local art and design practices and deal with theories, research and practical examples describing and explaining practices in the art field in the real context of the art organization. A broad range of art disciplines will be covered. These include artists’ internationalization paths, art galleries, publishing, the music industry, orchestras, theatres, design actors, and museums, the focus being on the interplay between local and international artists, art and design organizations, and mediators/agents.

Participants should prepare for walking and cycling around Helsinki. We apply the learning-by-walking teaching method by travelling to spaces of art, design and culture, such as specific city districts and art institutions where the lectures will also take place.

Students will gain an understanding of the specificities relating to the international art markets, art organizations, institutions and the current research on the topic from several disciplinary points of views, including sociology, art theory and marketing and management. Students will deal with the theoretical and pragmatic problematic relating to international and local art fields in real cultural settings. The aim is to acquire a practical perspective on cultural activities and international networks through theoretical discussions.

The course will consist of lectures and workshops, each day in a different urban and cultural setting; discussions; and small group work. The students will need to prepare a pre-course assignment in a virtual setting, two assignment papers (term papers), and a learning diary.

The course lecturers have each conducted research within the art and design field with differing focuses and theoretical perspectives. Moreover, interesting visiting lecturers will present various perspectives on the topic.

Annukka Jyrämä, PhD, Docent,  works at the Aalto University School of Economics in Finland. Her current research interests include knowledge creation processes and the role of mediators from institutional and network theory perspectives. She has conducted studies in cultural, city and business contexts, among others. Her research has been published in several journals, including The International Journal of Arts Management, Marketing Intelligence and Planning, and Management Learning.

Sari Karttunen, PhD,  is Senior Researcher at the Finnish Foundation for Cultural Policy Research (Cupore) and a Docent in cultural policy at the University of Jyväskylä. Her main research interests are artistic occupations and government artist policies. She also works on the methods and politics of cultural policy data collection and mapping exercises. Her most recent publications deal with the internationalization of Finnish visual artists and government cultural policy indicators. Currently she is preparing a study on the mediation function in the field of visual art.

Petteri Kummala, MA, is a doctoral candidate at the University of Helsinki, Department of Aesthetics and a curator of the archives at the Museum of Finnish Architecture. His ongoing PhD research focuses on the aesthetics of urban environments, and especially on the role and significance of urban nature regarding the aesthetic quality of urban environments. His other research interests include architecture and urban design and he is currently preparing an article on the aesthetic diversity and impoverishing processes in recent urban design in Helsinki.

Please direct any questions concerning the content of this course to the coordinators, Ms. Cansu Aksoy or Ms. Alexandra Meincke, cansu.aksoy(at)helsinki.fi, alexandra.meincke(at)helsinki.fi. Any questions on the general arrangements (accommodation, scholarship, etc.) should be addressed to the Summer School's office at
summer-school@helsinki.fi.