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Samir Bhowmik (b. 1975) is a multi-disciplinary artist and architect, engaged in artistic projects in Berlin, New York and Helsinki. He works as a post-doc researcher at the Department of Media and his current work examines the architectural, infrastructural and energetic entanglements of cultural memory and the environment. Besides performance installations, Bhowmik often creates participatory narratives, in which he engages the audience in a scripted scenario, accompanied by other artists, performers and musicians. The immersive performances act as probes within which the imaginaries of hidden, contested and lost topographies unfold. Invariably too, the explorations trigger connections between the participants experiencing the collective nature of the knowledge-sharing journey.

The first Helsinki Biennial will be held in summer 2020 in the unique surroundings of Vallisaari Island. Helsinki Biennial will present 40 international artists or groups of artists from both Finland and around the world. In his work for Helsinki Biennial, Samir Bhowmik reflects on how humans hijack nature with their infrastructure and technology. Lost Islands (2020), is an expedition tracing the route of an imaginary subterranean and underwater cable leading to Vallisaari Island, with the artist serving as our tour guide and narrator.

The tour skirts the island’s topography, forested pathways, waterways, historical buildings, ruins and bunkers. Along the way, visitors enjoy installations, film, theatre, modern dance, song, and experimental music. The expeditions will take place as a series of events staged on the island from June to August.