Meet Maisa and Anniina, Turku team interns

This spring, two new interns joined the Turku team, contributing to the production and marketing of the upcoming exhibition. Working within an international and multidisciplinary project has offered them valuable insights from their own fields of study. We asked them to reflect on their experiences so far—and what it has been like to be part of the PMP project.

Anniina Ukkonen – photography and and fine arts

I am Anniina Ukkonen, a second-year student of fine arts at Turku University of Applied Sciences’ Arts Academy. I am a photographic artist interested in creating art spaces and places to exhibit art, as well as bringing variety to cultural life.

Getting to know a large-scale project

I have never been involved in such a large project before. At first, it seemed challenging to get a clear understanding of the PMP project, as it branches out in so many directions and has been going on for several years in different countries. That’s why it was so valuable that, at the beginning of the internship, we had time to properly familiarize ourselves with the work already done, as well as the project’s goals, written articles, podcasts, and other materials.

Same challenges seem to be present in all the countries participating in the PMP project.

Learning from other artists

I especially liked the podcasts. As an artist and an art student, it is always interesting to hear other artists’ experiences and perspectives—how they implement their artistic vision and build their own paths in the art field, which is often quite fragmented and diverse. The same challenges seem to be present in all the countries participating in the PMP project. That’s why it feels both useful and inspiring to hear about those challenges and the solutions artists have found.

It has helped a lot during this internship that there are two of us. We have been able to share and divide tasks, and for me it feels reassuring to have someone else in the same position to discuss ideas with and exchange views.

Looking ahead to the exhibition

Now I am especially looking forward to the autumn internship, when we can really begin building the exhibition at the Köysiratagalleria of the Turku Arts Academy. The works of the participating artists are very interesting, with a wide range of mediums and thought-provoking approaches, so it will be a great exhibition. It is fascinating to think about how exhibitions in different countries are taking shape at the same time within the same project—and how the virtual gallery brings everything together as one.

Although my own interests are more focused on small-scale and grassroots activities, it has been very instructive to follow such a large-scale project and see how it is formed and what needs to be taken into consideration.

Maisa Kesäniemi – from visual arts to film production 

I am Maisa Kesäniemi, a fourth-year film production student. I previously studied to become a visual artist, and during those studies I became particularly interested in video as a medium. I also had the opportunity to try out event production, which inspired me to move toward the production side of the film industry.

Working on the project has also inspired me to return to creating my own art.

Familiar structural elements

I have not worked on projects like this before. My previous experience mainly consists of smaller projects, especially short films. However, it has been interesting to see how, even in a larger international project, certain structural elements remain the same. For example, the formation of working groups feels very familiar. I have often worked in head-of-department roles, and the PMP project has brought good variety, especially in terms of the level of responsibility.

Working with a partner has also reminded me why pair work is so strongly encouraged in production studies—dividing tasks really makes the process smoother and more efficient.

New perspectives and inspiration

Getting to know the PMP project has been very interesting. We interns joined toward the later stages, and there has been a lot of existing material to go through. However, I see this as a strength, as it has allowed me to learn a great deal—particularly about the role of art within the media field.

Working on the project has also inspired me to return to creating my own art. At the same time, it has confirmed that experience as a film producer would be valuable when working within the arts.

Text: Maisa Kesäniemi and Anniina Ukkonen.