Output details

Karhu karaoke

Context

'Karhu Karaoke' emerged out of an international residency at the Cable Factory in Helsinki, Finland (2008). Bracey was invited to participate in the residency by freelance curator Ima Pico as an exchange between Finnish and British artists, Swap/Vaihto also included a residency at Bureau gallery and Islington Mill in Salford. The residency exchange was funded by the Arts Council of England, Arts Council of Finland, British Council, HIAP, The Finnish Embassy, The Finnish Institute and Salford City Council.

Process and Insight

Bracey researched certain aspects of Finnish culture. Specifically, he explored the importance of the historical and contemporary role of the bear, the role of karaoke as a key facet of culture in Finland (the world championships originated there in 2003) and the prevalence of and problems with alcohol in the country.

Sharing

The research was presented as 8 animated vignettes in a large-scale projection and on-monitor display in a group exhibition, 'Swap/Vaihto' at The Cable Factory (August, 2008), which also included artists such as, Hannu Karjalainen, Samantha Donnelly, Juhana Moisander and Jaana Kokko.

'Karhu Karaoke' was subsequently selected by curator Jane Anderson, Cube Gallery, Manchester, for inclusion in 'The Gospel According To...' at Holden Gallery, Manchester (March-May 2012), which also featured Jeremy Deller, Lars Laumann and Jan Timme. Bracey was interviewed about the work by Colin Paterson for Radio 4's Today programme (March 16, 2012) which was subsequently repeated on BBC World Service.