While Europe Was Burning by Tytti Heikkinen
Artist’s Statement
The creation of this work was influenced by the changed situation in Europe. It was hard to believe that a war could still break out here in the 2020s. All of that was supposed to be over, history was not meant to repeat itself anymore. The fact that it did is still difficult to believe.
Another reason behind the image was the tightening grip of rightwing political and conservative views, which from time to time rear their heads. Fortunately, at the same time, a more liberal world is also being celebrated in the colors of the rainbow. From all this emerged a vision of Classical statues coming to life, who, even in the midst of a burning Europe, focus on what truly matters to them: the encounter between two people, the desire to learn the other completely, and to share one’s life through its twists and turns. Love can make even statues move.
The figures in the image are able to block out the graffiti-stained school assembly hall, a symbol of European cultural heritage, now falling into decay, and the flames blazing through the windows, because even in the midst of fear they are willing to focus on each other.
Dance is an activity that requires both the will and the ability to act together. That is why it is such an important symbol to me. Sometimes, when I watch traditional ballroom dance, I get tears in my eyes, because partner dancing is such a powerful and beautiful art form, regardless of its rhythm.
These Classical figures are dancing traditional Argentine tango. The posture shown in the image is an authentic dance position of the genre.
Tytti Heikkinen (she/her) is a Finnish visual artist working across photography, painting, and digital media. Based in Finland, she has exhibited internationally, with work appearing in Amsterdam Review, Arkana, and Ex-Puritan, among others.
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