High Culture Under Ground by Tatu Engeström

This time we'll keep it strictly underground. I definately have to give props to the artist Tatu Engeström for throwing up one of the most memorable parties in a while. The party was part of his installation that he referred to as the "temple of sin" which is his BA project for the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts. Among the DJ's in charge of the entertainment were Enrico (of Komposti Sound) and the local legend Dead-O, so plenty of bass was on offer.

The setting for the event was an abandoned freight train tunnel that runs under one of the busiest streets in the city, Mäkelänkatu. Actually the tunnel is better known as one of the three tunnels in the area that is commonly referred to as "Pasilan Galleria", the most legendary hall of fame in the country. The invitations didn't have any address, so the only way of knowing the location was by word of mouth (or being a writer!), but still a large crowd showed up. And of course where there's a crowd, the cops somehow manage to show up before the event has even started...luckily the poor constables were too afraid to step into the tunnel and settled for just complaining about the van parked outside.

Tatu installation consisted of pilars painted in white to represent a temple along with a painting on the ceiling depecting the snake in the garden of eden with an apple in it's mouth, an adaptation of the fresco in Tampere Cathedral by famous finnish painter Hugo Simberg. And of course, as the name of the event suggests, high culture was involved with a violinist and organist playing some classical music to get you in the highbrow mood. After that it was all about beer, bass and socialising.

Much thanks to Tatu for making things happen and the dj's and people involved who made it into one of the most memorable events I've witnessed!

(And for the Finnish people out there, be sure to check out todays Helsingin Sanomat which has a small article about the event!)

Here's a few pictures taken with my very crappy compact:

The entrance

The start didn't look that good with the cops showing up...

The view from the tunnel. Getting out proved to be a bit tricky once darkness settled in...
(at least for those who enjoyed too many of the "refreshments" on offer)

First performance of the night.







The "fresco" by Tatu Engeström.

The original by Hugo Simberg in Tampere Cathedral.