Pertti's Choice London Pop-Up 2019

Founded by the punk band Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät, Pertin Valinta hosted a four-day pop-up in Shoreditch, London, in early August 2019.

The Pertti’s Choice Pop-up showcased Finnish outsider art, music, and art merchandise. The centerpiece was the Inside Outside Finland VR exhibition, which took visitors on a virtual tour of four outsider art environments in Finland. The event also featured drawings by Pertti Kurikka’s alter ego, Kalevi Helvetti, photographs from Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät (PKN) tours by Pekka Elomaa’s collective, and portraits by British artist Tanya Raabe-Webber.

“It is really great that we, people with developmental disabilities and other outsiders, have an equal opportunity to showcase Finnish culture to the world. We have a lot of wonderful artists and projects going on,” says Sami Helle, a founding member of Pertin Valinta.

The pop-up included live performances by Kalevi Helvetti, Eeva Lusenius, Hammond organ artist Kalle Salonen, Rudewolf, DJ Miika, and the British band Zombie Crash. Traveling to London alongside Pertin Valinta was the staff from the IPI café, a spot beloved by locals in Helsinki’s Kallio district. Amidst the art, the event served excellent coffee and music while simultaneously presenting Finnish inclusive employment models.

Pertti’s Choice received funding from Arts Council England and the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. The event was supported by the Kyrö Distillery Company, Iittala, Kaffecentralen, the Embassy of Finland in the UK, the Finnish Musicians’ Union, Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike), and the Autism Foundation Finland.

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Pertti’s Choice Pop-Up Project | Wolfe Hall