Mirka Kylmäaho

I am the curator off public art in the municipality of Örebro, which is in the same unit as OpenArt. I am filling in for my colleague Sofia in the curator programme while she is on her maternity leave. I’ve worked with OpenArt and Magic Carpets residencies before as a coordinator (in 2023-2024).

Why are you a part of “Magic Carpets”: I am part of “Magic Carpets” because I wish to evolve in my role, to meet other curators, share experiences and to get inspired. Also to have the opportunity to get in touch with all the fantastic international artists that wouldn’t cross my path without the MC network and to see how artists and curators work in different countries.

“Magic Carpets” projects

As a coordinator in the last period I got to work with 5 different artists and projects through Magic carpets.

Artist(s): For Magic Carpets: Kenne-Diss, Line Bourdoiseau, Karolina Oxelväg, Cecilia Jansson

Please see more in here:

OPENART & MagiC Carpets residency 2024. Artist: Cecilia Jansson (video)

OPENART & MagiC Carpets residency 2024. Artist: Hanna Stansvik (video)

OPENART & MagiC Carpets residency 2023. Artist: Victor Jakobsson / Kenne-Diss (video)

OPENART & MagiC Carpets residency 2023. Artist: Karolina Oxelväg (video)

OPENART & MagiC Carpets residency 2023. Artist: Line Bourdoiseau (video)

Past projects

Exhibitions at Örebro municipal gallery. I’m having a hard time choosing amongst them, as I had the opportunity to grow in different ways through all of them.

I was the assistant of the curator at the gallery and worked with the productions of the exhibitions. I was also in charge of the programme and created a lot of interesting talks, meeting and events at the gallery.

Why have you chosen to be a curator or why has curatorship chosen you? I guess maybe it started as I realised that my mind kept choosing artists and just putting them at places, in situations, pairing them with other artists and so on. I have a natural understanding of art and artists as well as people and the audience. It feels natural for me to be the “interpreter” between the public and the artist. I also have an eye for the whole picture and I’m creative myself, which helps me help the artists. So I guess maybe curatorship chose me due to my traits and I chose to followed as I think it’s fun and an important role.

What do you think is the purpose of art? I don’t think there is an easy answer to this question. Art can challenge, highlight, create experiences, meaning and awe. But it’s important to remember that sometimes you just don’t need/need to define a purpose in art.

Contacts

Email: Mirka.kylmaaho[et]orebro.se