photo Mark Maher // Josef Ka

Sometimes you take on particularly dangerous topics that trigger not only you but everyone around you…

FINNISH BRIDE: WINTER WAR – OPEN REHEARSAL // FIRE SAFETY // COLLECTIVE GUILT // BRIGHT HAZARDOUS FUTURE

Early morning of May 4th, 2024 I got a message from Yö gallery, that said:

“It is
clear that your performance practice is too hazardous for our
association. The board of Artists’s Association Yö has now decided to
expel you from the association”.

A day before on the 2nd of May I had presented my performance THE FINNISH BRIDE: WINTER WAR, at Yö Artists Association event Yö Fest 3. 5. All photos: Mark Maher

My reply to Yö association:

“I want to express my sincere gratitude for your continuous support over the past three or four years. Your assistance has been invaluable across every aspect. It was a significant moment for me to present the new edition of my performance at the Yö festival, having traveled specifically from Vienna, where I am currently participating in an art residency until the end of July. The Yö event held great significance for me, especially being hosted in one of the most open-minded venues in Finland.

While I carefully reviewed the contract, I noticed that during the event – which unfortunately none of the Yö board members attended – I was informed about the presence of a photographer. However, I never had the opportunity to interact with him, so I’m uncertain if he was indeed present. It was disheartening that none of the association leaders were able to attend the event, which has unfortunately occurred previously as well. I have showcased numerous performances involving fire in various galleries around the world, and I also witnessed several fire-related performances at Yö, including my own performance at 2022.

Regarding the safety protocols outlined in the contract (“fire safety”), I want to assure you that I followed them diligently. I had a bucket of water positioned nearby throughout my performance. I completely understand the importance of safety, and I made every effort to comply with the terms of the contract.

I strongly disagree with the board’s decision. Additionally I find it quite odd as it does not seem to be aligned to the contract we signed, and because of the precedent of events including flame at Yö Gallery over the past years.

Best,
Josef Ka”

The Winter War was a war between the Soviet Union and Finland. It began with a Soviet invasion of Finland on 30 November 1939, three months after the outbreak of World War II, and ended three and a half months later with the Moscow Peace Treaty on 13 March 1940. Finns lost 26000 people. USSR 126000.

The Soviets had won the Winter War and, in the subsequent Treaty of Moscow, took much more than what they had demanded originally. Finland had to cede Viipuri and the northern port of Petsamo, as well as the entire Karelian isthmus. All told, Finland lost some 11 percent of its original territory // from Wikipedia

Since 2018, I’ve been living in Finland, and throughout this time, I’ve felt the weight of collective guilt looming over me.

As an artist from the former USSR residing in Finland, the shadow of war has followed me. Despite intellectually rejecting the notion of collective guilt – both morally and metaphysically – it continues to haunt my inner self.

The performance “The Finnish Bride: Winter War” aimed to unearth and release this sense of guilt. Although the intended Finnish musician couldn’t participate, I was fortunate to collaborate with a big musician, Abstract Jorvas, also from the former USSR.

In a surprising turn of events, my expulsion from the Yö Artists Association added a new layer to my performance. The decision to remove me became a conceptual element of my project.

THE AUDIENCE FEEDBACK >>>

I plan to showcase this project in other countries. Please contact me directly at

josefka(at)yahoo.com if you have a venue, festival etc.

Stay safe, Josef Ka