Academy of Fine Arts Alum Kaija Hinkula at ISCP Residence in New York 2025: A Sense of Place

6.10.2025 0 Tykkää 0 kommenttia

I’m writing this blog post a few months after returning from New York. Thanks to the Academy of Fine Arts and the Saastamoinen Foundation, I had the privilege to spend six months in this vibrant city, and now my intention is to put into words some of what I experienced. I remember the feeling of arriving in NY — the lively metropolis surrounded me instantly, and the immersive pull of this wild city lasted from the first day until my departure. Between those moments, there was a great deal of life, emotion, and, of course, art. The beginning of the year in NY was cold, but the warmth with which both the people and the city welcomed me was almost surprising. I didn’t expect settling into such a big city to feel so natural. I have the friendliness and openness of people to thank for that — as well as the spirit of the ISCP residency and its artistic community. Beyond the strong professionalism and dedication, I was able to experience a real sense of community and friendship.

The city is vast and iconic; I enjoyed endless walks through streets lined with architectural wonders. New York is incredibly multifaceted and diverse. From Harlem to the Financial District, Manhattan alone contains countless realities — and for a first-time visitor, simply exploring the different atmospheres of each area could fill weeks, not to mention Brooklyn. Experiencing art also provided a framework to get to know the city — every new gallery discovery brought with it a new neighborhood, a new perspective, or a new encounter. It was also interesting to observe the city’s ongoing transformation and to imagine how life in Brooklyn might have looked decades ago. The city could also be cold and harsh, and I deeply respect the effort so many people put into building a life here.

The presence of art history in the museums was astonishing, and it was wonderful to have the chance to experience so many iconic works and their places of origin up close. Many things I had only read about became real before my eyes, and I gained a deeper understanding of New York’s history as a central hub of Western art. It was also inspiring to see how much space in this city is dedicated to art — the sheer number of galleries is incredible. Depending on the day and your interests, you can always immerse yourself in art, whether in the grand halls of major institutions or in small experimental DIY galleries and events. It was equally striking to realize how many artists there are in this city — how different artistic circles overlap, forming an immense network of possibilities across the many layers of the art world.

When spring and early summer arrived, it felt as the population doubled as life spilled onto the streets. Endless events, exhibitions and cafés made everyday life feel instantly full. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a city where the flood of interesting art and other events causes a constant sense of FOMO — even when life already feels full. I also started longing for nature and joined a community garden in my neighborhood. It opened a whole new way of connecting with people — New Yorkers of different ages and backgrounds who share a love for soil and growing things.

 Art fair week was intense but also a good chance to experience galleries and art from all over the world. Thanks to the residency program, I had access to most of the fairs, among other spots that would not have been possible to visit otherwise, such as the home of amazing Louise Bourgeois. During my stay, I also made some trips upstate NY to feel the presence of life outside the city — and found art treasures there to digest, such as the beautiful Dia Beacon and the residency spot in Yaddo. Despite all the exploring in the city, my studio at ISCP became the heart of my experience, a place I grew truly attached to. The high, spacious room was ideal for my practice, and although I had planned to work more immaterially, I ended up creating and developing a new body of physical work throughout the entire six months in a very productive mood. As a residency, ISCP felt like a place for concentration and work — a lagoon to isolate yourself from the puzzle and hustle of the city. Naturally New Yorks corners also made it possible to stretch my artistic practise site specifically into urban environment. The Open Studios event was a good experience to meet local audience and the art world. The encounters made at ISCP have already taken me as far as China, and I’ve realized how valuable it is for an artist to have these kinds of international exchanges and possibilities to share your art.

Later in June, the summer heat became intense. Spring and summer were beautiful, but it also felt like the right time to leave — just as New Yorkers themselves escaped upstate to the countryside, away from the hot streets. I feel half a year is exactly the right length for a residency in New York — to get to know the city somehow — even though I feel there would be enough adventures for years. Brooklyn became my village, and I never got tired of looking at Manhattan’s skyline from its shore. I don’t think I’ve ever developed feelings quite like this for a city before. I noticed that many New Yorkers felt the city fulfilled all their dreams — and as cliché as it sounds, they didn’t seem to long for anywhere else. Their attachment to the place kept them deeply rooted, and I think now I know something about what that feeling is — love for a place. With distance, that feeling softens, but I hope my crush will be waiting for me there also in the future.