Harri Pälviranta (born 1971, Finland) is a photographic artist, researcher and educator. He holds a Doctor of Arts degree in photography from the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture in Helsinki (2012), MA in Media Studies from the University of Turku (2005) and BA in photography from the Turku Arts Academy (2000). His works have been exhibited widely around the world.
Pälviranta understands himself as a socially concerned artist. At the core of Pälviranta’s artistic curiosity are issues relating to violence and masculinity, and often in his works he bridges these two themes. Theoretically much of his work falls into practice that can be categorized as documentary. However, in Pälviranta’s use the term documentary does not only refer to classical documentaries, his work rather activates critical practices within post-documentary discourse. Along this line of thought, as a form of expression documentary relates to concepts such as constructed verisimilitude and dramatized, narrated real. Pälviranta is liberal in his photographic methods and does not count out playfulness and experimentation.
Harri’s residency was part of the 2024 edition of Art Ii Biennial. His works reflected the theme FIRE UNBOUND in many different levels. Heat index consisted of five light box images of burned forests and one large charred wood panel; “pyrogram”. The installation, The price of our freedom, consisted of 100 portraits which altogether contain all the dead soldiers from Finnish Winter War 1949-1940.
His works were exhibited in the Art Barns in Vanha Hamina from June to July.
