Inari Sandell
26 SEPTEMBER - 29 SEPTEMBER 2024
On Butterfly Logic (2024) examines butterflies’ moving patterns, societal norms of neurotypicality, and psychiatric interventions and histories concerning autism.
A butterfly’s flying pattern might not make sense to a human observer, but its’ “erratic” logic keeps the creature safe from predators. The film presents the butterfly as a symbol of resistance to normative cognitive and bodily standards, and suggests we look at diverging manners of movement and thinking as their own logical systems; worthy, queer, and intelligent.
The film was produced as part of the annual exhibition programme for Fundació Joan Miró -museum’s gallery space Espai 13. Curated by Irina Mutt, the programme is called We Will Keep Each Other Company when It Grows Dark and featured Inari Sandell’s solo exhibition Butterfly Logic in April–July 2024. The production and the artist’s work has been supported by Alfred Kordelin Foundation and Frame Contemporary Art Finland.
Details of the work
On Butterfly Logic
(2024)
single-channel video, duration 10:40 min
direction, cinematography and text: Inari Sandell
sound: Jussi Hertz
voice over: Maija Fox
lettering: Kaisa Koisti
BIO
Inari Sandell is a multidisciplinary visual artist based in Helsinki. Their lens-based and sculptural work often takes form as installations, combining photography and moving image with textile, metal and castings.
Sandell’s practice stems from acts of neuroqueering, and actively challenging and unlearning normative societal frameworks and expectations for bodily and cognitive abilities. Their recent work takes on histories of psychiatric disciplinary systems that have shaped common narratives related to neurodiversity.
Their work has been exhibited internationally in galleries, museums and festivals including Fundació Joan Miró: Espai 13, UKS Oslo, Hafnarborg Centre of Culture and Fine Art, the FCINY, Titanik, SIC, Photographic Centre Peri, Exhibition Laboratory Helsinki and Athens Photo Festival. Sandell graduated from the Time and Space Arts MFA programme at Uniarts Helsinki in 2023.