Artist Statement

“Batterings and street fights are every night activities during the weekends in Finland. Within my Battered series I have focused my camera on the outcomes of these activities, to the people who are victims of interpersonal direct violence that takes place in public spaces.

“By photographing the victims of assaults and batteries I wish show the real faces of street violence in Finland. In contrast to stereotypic portrayals of male heroicism and worn-out attempts at shocking people I am interested in dealing with the utmost banality inherent in violence. What I find more unsettling than any single representation of physical injuries is the everyday nature of street violence and the laissez-faire attitude towards it in Finnish society.

Battered draws on traditional social documentary and contemporary post-documentary practice. Palva i relates these images to crime scene photography and police pictures as well as the history of portraiture (particularly Jacob Riis, WeeGee, Enrique Metinides among others)."

Artist Bio

Harri Pälviranta is a Finnish photographic artist and a researcher. His major artistic interests are in societal topics, for example in issues relating to violence and masculinity. Pälviranta’s intention is to activate critical discourses practises within practice.

His works has been exhibited in several solo and group exhibitions internationally. He is currently preparing his doctorate in photography at the Aalto University, School of Art and Design, Helsinki, Finland, for completion in late 2011. 

For further information please see http://www.harripalviranta.com/