Baran Caginli & Panos Balomenos

Opening on Friday 14.2.2025 at 18-20
15.2. – 16.3.2025

Stoan galleria
Turunlinnantie 1
Itäkeskus 00900
Helsinki

Opening hours: Monday - Friday 9:00-20:00, Saturday 10:00-16:00, Sunday 12:00-18:00

In their joint exhibition, the artists present works that explore the phenomenology hidden behind metal materials such as brass, tin, plated zinc, and copper. They attempt to question themes of corrosion and corruption in contemporary society, influenced by extreme political systems. Baran Caginli uses the external part of used bullets to explore the materiality of destruction, creating works around recognizable images drawn from various chapters of the History of Art. Panos Balomenos, on the other hand, presents the image of a politician branded onto an alternative tin of extra virgin olive oil, challenging the commercialization of power and politics and its impact on society. Baran Caginli is a visual artist originally from Istanbul, now living and working in Helsinki. His works address global themes such as power, identity, and discrimination, using various media including photography, sculpture, and installation. Panos Balomenos is a visual artist from Athens, Greece, who has lived and worked in Helsinki since 2003. His works combine watercolor painting, performance, and personal narratives to explore power relations, sexuality, and politics.

* Full metal jacket: a lead bullet that is covered with a jacket of a harder metal (usually copper) bullet, slug.

Special thanks to Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Kone Foundation, Erol Mintaş and Irene Balomenou