9 minute read

BUD UP, tero kuitunen?

Contemporary art and yummy design oozing delicious colors and imaginative joyfulness. Designer Tero Kuitunen’s world is full of inspiring, creative flavors – how does wall sausages and ceramic smileys sound to you?

Hello Tero! How are you and what gets you inspired?

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Hello, I’m good! As of late, I’ve been very inspired about New York City and its iconic logos, water tanks, hot dogs and more. Before my show here in BUD, I just spent 6 weeks in an artist residency in New York. These works got their inspirations from there.

If you were a flower, what flower would you be – and why?

I really love tulips, so I would be an orange Parrot tulip. I'm a spring child, so I really love the tulip season! Also, the history of tulip mania in the Dutch Golden Age is very interesting.

Your work really moves and touches people – we saw everyone smiling when enjoying of your art pieces. How does your creative process unfold?

In general, I love to use bold colors, unexpected forms, and humor. I’m quite spontaneous and usually just start experimenting. I rarely calculate anything too much beforehand, like with these wall sausages. Also, when you make ceramic work, you have to leave space for coincidences –all the work gets glazed and then fired, so there’s a lot that happens during the process that you can’t quite control. That’s exciting.

Are there any artists that you look especially up to?

I’m not a fan-kind-of-a-person by nature, but of course there are many doers and phenomena that inspire me.

Pop culture is a big one and in that scene Andy Warhol, for sure. Salvador Dali is another interesting character: my partner is from Spain, from Dali’s hoods, and I love the sense of surrealism.

What else do you do with your life?

Haha, like do I have a life outside of being an artist? Yes, I love cooking, my family had a bakery and a donut factory. I’ve made an exhibition called Ceramic Deli – there’s a lot of similarities in baking and making ceramic work.

What’s on your bucketlist?

I wanna go to Koko Suomi leipoo -program (British version is Bake off!) one day.

What would you say to young Tero?

Oh Jesus. Haha, not that. I’d tell him to trust the process and your doings – and not think or worry too much about the future. You’ll get to have great adventures and meet amazing people.

How about to creatives in general?

That things take time and there needs to be a certain passion to keep things alive in a longer time span. And to collaborate and be open for help and support. It’s more about supporting people than competing with them.

Cool. Thanks so much Tero! ■

Tero Kuitunen (1986) is a designer inspired by the interface of design and art, the unprejudiced apposition of things and the exploration about the meaning of touch, humor and surprising situations. He’s best known of his colorful ceramic products and fringe mirrors. Alongside product design, Tero is known for concept and space planning as well as projects of contemporary art and design. www.terokuitunen.com

“What color are tears?” is Ville Verkkapuro’s spin off short story based on Pete, his acclaimed debut document novel published in autumn 2022.

What color are tears?

Mine were blue when I was staring at the screen of my MacBook in a dark room, with a blank sheet of Microsoft Word in front of me. I wanted to find out what happened to my father, 13 years ago, when he was found blue in his friends garage, overdosed on booze and pills. I was afraid of turning into him.

I didn’t know where to start, because he was an enigma. I tried to Google him, but found absolutely nothing. So I Googled Kurt Cobain, got 22 million hits. I returned to my childhood hero, Kurt Cobain, because he was where I always projected my father. Cobain had blue eyes, just like my father, just like I did. He was all the things I wanted my father to be. “May women rule the world”, he wrote in his diary and I cheered.

I watched Cobain wear a floral dress on stage, talk about the rights of women. I understood why he was so fond of flowers, especially lilies; they represented a divine femininity to him. He made a song against rape, made plans in his diary about the music video for the song with orchids and lilies, “ya know, vaginal flowers”, he wrote.

I learned a lot about Cobain and nothing about my father. I had to pack my bag and go on a trip to my hillbilly hometown, to meet my fathers friends and my family in person. I found out my father wasn’t a feminist. He was kind, but dumb.

I wandered to the graveyard with Cobain singing Dumb, from the MTV Unplugged show in New York. Cobain wanted to decorate the stage that night with flowers and candles.

Like a funeral? they asked him. Exactly like a funeral, he said.

I laid a red rose on my fathers grave and couldn’t cry.

What color are tears?

They are transparent, impossible to grasp, impossible to determine. They reflect everything that surrounds them and shines the light through them.

I found a poem my father had written to his second wife. It said that she represents “all the flowers” to him. I liked how it sounded, but it meant nothing to me, it was just semantics, an empty promise. Their marriage was violent, poor and sad – and they got divorced. Just to be clear; it was my father who got hit.

I continued my journey to meet my mother. We got drunk and cried together.

Blondie’s Heart of Glass played in the background when I found out I had my mothers eyes, not my fathers, not Cobains.

I didn’t find my father, but I found my mother. She showed me her most valued flowers; a bouquet I sent her on Mother’s Day, dried up on the shelf.

Cobain didn’t learn about women’s issues himself; it was taught to him by Tobi Vail and Kathleen Hanna from Bikini Kill. That’s why he wore the floral dress. He learned about the divine femininity and the floral vulva from his favorite author Camille Paglia, introduced to him by Courtney Love.

I went to a thrift store, searched the dresses and found one with floral patterns. I put it on and it fit perfectly. I looked at myself and tears rose to my eyes.

My tears had multiple colors; they reflected the flowers from the dress.

Kukkia Kurt Cobainin haudalle

Olen viettänyt viime vuodet Kurt Cobainin lumoissa.

Etsin hänestä nuorena kuollutta isääni, jota en koskaan tuntenut. Halusin nähdä Cobainissa enemmän kuin sielunveljeyttä, halusin itselleni miehen mallin, jota en koskaan saanut.

May women rule the world, Cobain kirjoitti ja nyökyttelin tyytyväisenä.

Cobain oli protofeministi, joka puolsi naisten oikeuksia aikana, jolloin ketjuliikkeistä ei vielä saanut Feministpaitoja. Hän rakasti kukkia. Erityisesti liljoja. Hän piti kukka-asetelmista, teki niitä levynkansien sisäsivuille, koristeli lavan niillä. Pukeutui kukkamekkoon. Kukkamekko oli seurausta Bikini Kill -yhtyeen Tobi Vailin ja Kathleen Hannan valistusta naisten oikeuksista ja sukupuolten välisestä tasa-arvosta. Cobain oli korvat höröllä. Hanna kirjoitti Cobainin seinään “Kurt smells like teen spirit”, Cobain inspiroitui.

Vail, Cobainin entinen tyttöystävä, esiintyi loppukesästä Flow Festivaleilla Bikini Killin kanssa. Katsoin häntä alaviistosta ja mietin, kuinka olin edellisenä päivänä uskaltanut laittaa ensimmäistä kertaa elämässäni kukkamekon ylleni ja nousta lavalle samoilla festivaaleilla. Luulin saaneeni vaikutteita Cobainilta, mutta ymmärsin pian Vailin olevan kaiken takana.

Hänelläkin oli kukkia mekossaan.

Sunnuntaina GoldLink soitti Smells Like Teen Spiritin samalla lavalla, napapaidassa.

Cobain rakasti Camille Paglian tekstejä, joissa käsiteltiin kukkia, liitettiin ne vulvaan ja pyhään naiseuteen. Seksuaalista väkivaltaa vastustaneen Rape Me -kappaleen musiikkivideoon hän suunnitteli tulevan paljon kukkia, orkideoja ja liljoja – “ya know, vaginal flowers”, Cobain kirjoitti päiväkirjaansa.

Kun Cobain kertoi koristeluista MTV Unplugged -keikkaa varten, hän sanoi haluavansa kukkia ja kynttilöitä.

Kuin hautajaisissa? häneltä kysyttiin.

Juuri niin, Cobain vastasi.

Hautajaiset sopivat syksyyn. Syksy on kuoleman aikaa. Kauhuelokuvien, Halloweenin, maatumisen. Kukat lakastuvat, kuivuvat ja palaavat maahan, josta tulivat.

Mutta kaikkien kukkien ei tarvitse antaa kuolla. Kerää suosikkisi, tuo ne sisälle, rakenna itsellesi niistä huntu. Hymyile läpi kuoleman kuin Florence Pugh Midsommarkauhuelokuvassa.

Cobainin suosikkikukka lilja kuvasti viktoriaanisessa ajassa kuolemaa, mutta kuolemaa ei voi olla ilman elämää ja juuri kuolema tekee elämästä arvokasta.

Laitan kukkamekon ylleni, ostan kukkia Cobainin muistoksi ja Vailin kunniaksi.

Tukeudun pyhään naiseuteen, koristelen asuntosi vaginaalisin kukin ja täytän äänimaiseman Nirvanalla. Piilotan falliset elementit.

En tukeudu isääni. Paitsi jos isäni onkin kuin Cobain. Ja Cobain kuin Vail – symboli kaikille niille, jotka odottavat vielä puhkeamista kukkaan.

Meidän tulee olla vähemmän isiemme kaltaisia ja enemmän kuin äitimme.

Kierto on päättynyt ja uusi alkaa. ■

The spin off short story “Pete” by Ville Verkkapuro was published by Kosmos on the 15th of September. It’s a document novel about the mystery surrounding the death of his father, addiction, class and white trash, with an essayistic touch going from Kurt Cobain to The Simpsons. The book is available as a hardcover, e-book and an audiobook, read by the author.

Helsinki Athletic Lab was my go-to when I injured my shoulder and was scheduled for some rehab. I knew Ville and his team would have all the expertise, knowledge and equipment to help me on my way back. These people are always professional, considerate and fun to work with!

Training with Ville is holistic, varied, smart, systematic, challenging, meticulous, safe - and super fun.

Leo Season (July 22nd - Aug 22nd) fire sign

Main character energy roars within Leo season is an invitation to shimmy shimmy ya on to that dance floor and be loud, more ridiculous, and to stop giving a f**k (for the lack of better wording). After all, Leo is ruled by the sun, the planet that literally gives us life. Harness that star quality, it’s time to shine and follow those burning passions mercilessly.

THE OBJECTS OF RITUAL FLOWERS bright blooms, yellow, orange, round like the sun. HERBS saffron, frankincense, St john’s wort. FOODS citrus, ginger, sour and sweet fruits. MINERALS gold, ruby, citrine. Adorn altars with gold cloth.

Virgo Season (Aug 23rd - Sept 22nd) earth sign

Welcometo Virgo season: Time to get our S**T together This season brings us down to earth. Our energy is honed in practicality, routine and self improvement. This is the month for working hard and making better food choices. Lay them ground rules and get that butt into the gym. As you move through Virgo vibes this month, remember it’s a great month to lay out manifests on our inherent love of excellence in all strivings.

THE OBJECTS OF RITUAL FLOWERS lily, orchid, narcissus HERBS rosemary FOODS cabbage, wheat, hazelnut, walnut MINERALS topaz, silver, citrine.

Libra Season (Sept 23rd - Oct 22rd) air sign

The Libra season is here to help us buddy up Be the mediator, people pleaser and relationshipmaster - it’s time to get on with each other and have a nice time. Take time to reconnect with old pals now! Libra values harmony, intimacy and the aesthetics. There’s no better time to soak up life’s bountiful blessings, over accessorise like your life depends on it and charm the pants off from everyone.

The

OBJECTS OF RITUAL FLOWERS roses, hydrangea, daffodil FOODS coriander, strawberry, fig, honey, almonds, mugwort, thyme

Scorpio Season (Oct 23rd - Nov 21st) fire sign

Oh, it’s that intense time of the year... Scorpio season is here There’s extra potency in the air…can you smell it? This season is deeply layered and powerful. Scorpio craves going deep with people but oversharing isn’t really the mood. This season is the kinkiest of them all, so get in tuned with the freakiness that lies within and get obsessed with some weird S**T.

THE OBJECTS OF RITUAL FLOWERS thistles, cactus. FOODS red chilli, foods with strong spicy taste. MINERALS bloodstone, tourmaline, jasper. Adorn alters with purple or black (dark) cloth.

Sagittarius Season (Nov 22nd - Dec 21st) fire sign

Time to go get it: Sagittarius season is upon us This season is all about knowing what you want and being part of something bigger. It’s time for adventure and it will almost feel like anything is possible. Keep a happy-go-lucky attitude and this season will promise a higher perspective. Remember, do not be afraid to leave you comfort zone - look for places that fuel the internal fire

THE OBJECTS OF RITUAL FLOWERS daisy, peony, anthurium, flowers that feel abundant. FOODS licorice, olives, nutmeg. MINERALS emerald, marble, amethyst. Adorn alters with red or purple cloth.

Capricon Season (Dec 22nd - Jan 19th) earth sign

Capricorn season: time to level up Put one foot in front of the other and make tangible action plans for the year ahead. It’s the season of dedication, success and knowledge. In the midst of winter, conserve your own `light’ and move at a slow and steady pace. Just like those mountain goats, sometimes you’ve gotta appreciate the climb.

THE OBJECTS OF RITUAL FLOWERS black coloured flowers, marigold, poppy, willows. FOODS parsnip, lentils, sour, bitter or sharp foods. MINERALS lead, lapis, obsidian. Adorn alter with dark cloth.

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