Exhibition critic:

Skirt, high heels, ponytail, and the “appropriate” (or “inappropriate”) posture in seated photographs. The hemline of the skirt—should something be visible beneath it or not—and how much needs to be concealed or revealed of what lies under that hem. Meticulously painted lips, always smiling, expressive, or speaking; corners of the mouth preferably never turned downward.

Lip Service is rich in meaning. It refers to empty talk in support of a good cause—words without action. It can also refer to oral sex performed on a woman.

Ida Nisonen's exhibition is abundant, colorful, fun, and at the same time, powerfully thought-provoking. It presents heavy themes in a light and uplifting manner. These themes stem from the double standard by which girlhood and womanhood are judged, a standard still used to raise young individuals into socially acceptable forms of femininity.

A good example of this is the installations The Art of Being a Girl and Girl with a Pearl (2022). The girl’s neat ponytail with silk ribbons represents the pretty, modest, and innocent assumption of girlhood, while the pearl between her lips, which could also resemble a pill, reminds us of the unspoken expectations imposed on girls and women, expectations that are often hard for the girl herself to grasp. The rules can change at any moment, right in the middle of the game.

The English phrase "the bitter pill" comes to mind when considering the symbolism of these works. Growing into girlhood and womanhood involves many so-called necessities that are uncomfortable and unpleasant, yet externally presented as beautiful (comparable to the perfection and value of a pearl). However, these are golden shackles: Be beautiful, be gentle, take your pill, don’t get pregnant unintentionally, don’t be difficult, don’t be loud, succeed, get excellent grades, get a brilliant career, find a wonderful spouse; have children who will be winners.

Nisonen’s work draws inspiration from the writings of feminist philosophers Luce Irigaray and Simone de Beauvoir. She employs photography, recycled materials, and elements she finds in nature as her artistic tools. In this exhibition, we see photography, installations, and video works alike.

The entire collection is lively and delightful. Nisonen succeeds in the most challenging task: she addresses themes that are difficult to articulate and evoke complex emotions with lighthearted energy yet profound depth.

—Katri Kovasiipi, October 25, 2022, Kulttuuritoimitus.fi

https://kulttuuritoimitus.fi/kritiikit/kritiikit-kuvataide/galleriakatsaus-muotimaailman-syketta-tytoksi-kasvamisen-kauneus-ja-kauheus-minuuden-muotoutumisen-peilit-ja-tanssit-metsassa/