LOVE BUZZ / RAKKAUSBUSSI (2013–2015)

Love Buzz / Rakkausbussi is an art project developed by Henna Aho and Ville Laaksonen (Turu Väri) between 2013 and 2015, following a pink 1975 Volkswagen from a participatory artwork to a museum context and a mobile gallery. At Ruisrock on 5–7 July 2013, visitors wrote and drew declarations of love on the vehicle, turning it into a collective manifesto whose messages were documented in the project blog. In the accompanying Car Peace performance, Aho and Laaksonen drew together in a bed built inside the bus, echoing John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s peace protest. In 2014, the journey continued in connection with Suurin kaikista on rakkaus? at WAM – Wäinö Aaltonen Museum, featuring collaborative paintings by Aho and Laaksonen. In June 2015, the bus became a mobile gallery within Arte’s Valtio+ urban art initiative outside Titanik Gallery in Turku. Paavo Halonen’s installation occupied the cab, while Sándor Vály’s video work filled the rear. Tape and sticker works by Riiko Sakkinen, Sirkku Ketola, Matti Vainio, Konsta Ojala and Tärähtäneet Ämmät (Katriina Haikala and Vilma Metteri) spread across the exterior, and Sampsa Pirtola’s performance extended the exhibition into public space. Love, collaboration and encounter connected these stages: the audience’s marks travelled with the bus as it became a new exhibition space.

When & where

Ruisrock, Turku · 5–7 July 2013 / WAM, Turku · 2014 / Titanik Gallery, Turku · 9–28 June 2015

Credits

Artists and curators: Henna Aho & Ville Laaksonen (Turu Väri)

Mobile gallery artists · 2015

Paavo Halonen · Sándor Vály · Riiko Sakkinen · Sirkku Ketola · Matti Vainio · Konsta Ojala · Tärähtäneet Ämmät (Katriina Haikala & Vilma Metteri) · Sampsa Pirtola