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ArsMondo is the brainchild of Hanna Maria Laakso, Ph.D. Based in Helsinki, Finland, Hanna is responsible for the management and development of the workshops and tours as well as the collaboration with ArsMondo’s international partners. ArsMondo
How was ArsMondo born?I received a Ph.D. in the Humanities at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, in 2007. In my doctoral dissertation I explored the influence of Strindberg’s theatre on the Danish dogma films, emphasizing the role of Scandinavian women actors.  Hanna Maria Laakso My studies took me first from Finland to Canada for several years, then back to the Scandinavian countries. In Stockholm and Copenhagen I explored the archives of Royal libraries and film institutes, reading the letters and notes of Ibsen and Strindberg. I watched films illustrating Ibsen’s and Strindberg’s visions of courageous, rebellious Scandinavian heroines, who fought for their dreams and were gifted with dream-like beauty at the same time. On one occasion when I had finished a new chapter in my dissertation, I treated myself with old Italian films – some of them featuring Scandinavian stars. Getting more and more fascinated by cinematic representations of Italy, I soon wanted to find out whether today’s Italians still remember the famous scene in Fellini’s La Dolce Vita with Anita Ekberg in Fontana di Trevi. What, after all, do the Italians know about the Scandinavian art and artists, I wondered? Searching for answers to these questions, my adventure in Italy began. AirCanada took me across the ocean, into Milan, before I took the train to the South. Spending time in Italy, I soon realized that Scandinavian art needs a new breakthrough. Believing in small actions, I wanted to do something and contribute to this breakthrough. In the process of organizing a seminar at Rome Independent Film Festival I could see how - within a short amount of time – watching recent Scandinavian films, the Italians were reminded that there are still mesmerizing heroines up in the North. In parallel, I experienced first-hand how Italy still has a major pull for Scandinavian artists and manages to uncover incredible talent within them. Next, I wanted to find out what is it in Italy that fascinates and inspires those artists’ imagination who kept coming back to the country for new inspirations, new creations. In particular, I wanted to find the Finns who had left Finland, a long time ago and established their life and career in Italy. As a result, I came to see huge ceramic ovens in the midst of the green hills of Tolfa, I admired sculptures by another artist in an old Etruscan cave which she had turned into the most gorgeous art gallery. I also followed a video artist going about her daily routines in Milan. Having witnessed the great professionalism of these artists who had come to work in Italy, I was convinced that a new World – Ars Mondo – was found. The journey since the moment when this world was found to the moment of publishing this website has been an exciting one. Many emails and skype calls were exchanged. In parallel with brainstorming, exploring possibilities and writing documents, I took regular trips to Italy and some intensive courses in Italian. I also threw a coin over my shoulder into Fontana di Trevi. In short, through ArsMondo, I offer my international experience, both professional and personal, hoping to inspire new ways of creating, thinking and experiencing. |