The “Praise of Women” Exhibition 2006
Praise of Women
Louange de la Femme
Naiseuden Ylistys
An environmental art exhibition on femininity and the liberation of women.
Perspectives of a Finnish and French artist. Dialogues on art and femininity.
Turku, Finland
12.8.- 25.8.2006
Open every day:
Mon – Fri 8-20, Sat 8-18, Sun 11-17
Exhibition idea, organizer, producer and one of the artists: iriskiss, Iris Kiiskinen
Press officer and other help: TriniMedia Oy
In summer 2006, the Praise of Women, in Finnish “Naiseuden Ylistys”, in French “Louange de la Femme”, exhibition took place in the courtyard of Turku’s Forum Shopping Center. This show brought together Finnish artist Iris Kiiskinen and French artist Dominique de Seguin. It marked the centennial of Finnish women’s suffrage and gained significant attention, including a visit from President Tarja Halonen.
The Artists and Their Collaboration
By 2006, Iris Kiiskinen, from Turku, had spent twenty years exploring the relationship between Five Elements philosophy and art. Her work was informed by research among indigenous peoples across several continents. Dominique de Seguin, from Paris, had exhibited mainly in France since the early 1980s and received various French state honors.
Their artistic collaboration drew from traditional Chinese philosophical concepts, such as Yin-Yang and the Five Elements theory. Kiiskinen’s work explored sun and moon themes, focusing on color interactions and their psychological effects. De Seguin concentrated on the human body and ancient cultures, translating these interests into contemporary art.
Context and Significance
The exhibition’s timing coincided with the 100th anniversary of Finnish women gaining voting rights in 2006. The show aimed to highlight women’s growing role in technology, celebrate international artistic cooperation, and encourage dialogue between cultures.
Exhibition and Public Access
The courtyard venue of a shopping center was chosen to make the art easily accessible to the public. The artworks were arranged in a life wheel formation with a central compass marker, designed to accommodate all visitors, including those using wheelchairs. The Forum Shopping Center sees daily foot traffic of 3,000 to 5,000 people. Iris Kiiskinen was present throughout the exhibition’s run, communicating with visitors in multiple languages.
Kiiskinen exhibited hand-made textile works that incorporated the Five Elements philosophy. Dominique de Seguin presented her “DIWA” series, which consisted of large steel sheet artworks. These steel pieces were displayed alongside Kiiskinen’s textiles.
Reflections and thoughts without words from
Praise of women, Louange de la Femme, Naiseuden Ylistys exhibition
Media Coverage and Impact
The exhibition received coverage in local media, including Turun Sanomat, Turku TV, Aamuset, and Extra. A French television crew, present at Kultaranta to film a documentary about President Halonen, interviewed exhibition participants and used the DIWA artwork as a backdrop.
The exhibition showed that contemporary art can address social topics and engage diverse audiences. Its placement in a public space like the Forum Shopping Center also demonstrated that significant artistic work can be presented effectively in non-traditional venues.
On August 19, 2006, President Tarja Halonen visited the exhibition for over thirty minutes. This visit led to an invitation for the exhibition organizer to Kultaranta, the presidential summer residence, on September 2, 2006. During a ceremony there, one of de Seguin’s DIWA artworks, named DIWASEN, was gifted to President Halonen.
The exhibition was sponsored by Turku Energia, Akavan Erityisalat, Karin Metalli Oy, Laserkeskus, Kauppakeskus Forumin Kauppiasyhdistys, Soleil herkkukauppa, TriniMedia International.