Close Watch by Pilvi Takala; Helsinki, London, Zurich, 2023

In 2022, Studio L A created the exhibition architecture for Pilvi Takala’s work Close Watch in the Finnish Pavilion at the 59th Venice Art Biennale. Based on this, Studio L A made a manual with which the exhibition architecture can be applied in various museum spaces. This makes it possible for Close Watch to travel around to different locations. This is important for the experience of the work, because the exhibition architecture makes the spatial politics of Pilvi Takala’s work experienceable.

Close Watch is inspired by Takala’s experience as an undercover artist working as a fully qualified security guard for global company Securitas. The work sheds light on an underpaid, undervalued and underregulated workforce who must navigate their influence in society. The ethical dilemmas of their profession are the focus here, informing an exhibition that reflects on how control is enforced within the security sector, and ultimately how we govern each other’s behavior.

The multi-channel video installation is displayed within site-specific exhibition architecture by Studio L A that divides the space into two interrelated presentations via a one-way police mirror. Societal power dynamics between the watchers and watched are called into question in this active, physical field of spatial politics. The work can be approached from two different entrances. The visitors who enter the light space where – the work is introduced – only see a mirrored wall. The visitors on the other side can observe the people in the other space through the police glass. Inspired by the camera observation room in shopping malls, this space is dark and filled with video works by Pilvi Takala.