BIO

Mika Taanila is a filmmaker and visual artist based in Helsinki.

Taanila’s works have been shown at major international group shows, such as La Biennale di Venezia (2017), Aichi Triennale (2013), Documenta (2012), Shanghai Biennale (2006), Berlin Biennale (2004), Manifesta (2002) and Istanbul Biennial (2001). Solo shows include Padiglione de l’Esprit Nouveau in Bologna (2020), EMMA Espoo (2018), Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art in Helsinki (2013–14), Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (2013), TENT, Rotterdam (2013), Badischer Kunstverein, Karlsruhe (2008), Dazibao, Montréal (2007) and Migrosmuseum, Zurich (2005).

Taanila’s films have been screened at several international film festivals and special events including TIFF Toronto International Film Festival, IFFR Rotterdam, International Short Film Festival Clermont-Ferrand, Karlovy-Vary Film Festival, Midnight Sun Film Festival, CPH:DOX, IDFA Amsterdam, Oberhausen Kurzfilmtage, Austrian Filmmuseum, Cork Film Festival, ICA and Whitechapel Gallery in London.

Ars Fennica Award 2015 was presented to Mika Taanila.

Taanila_CV_2024 ENG

Selected filmography:

  • Failed Emptiness (2024, 66 min)
  • Monica in the South Seas (2023, 72 min, co-dir.  w/ Sami van Ingen)
  • Failed Emptiness:Place (2021, 12 min)
  • Failed Emptiness. Time (2021, 14 min)
  • Patent Nr. 314805 (2020, 2 min)
  • The World (2017, 7 min)
  • Tectonic Plate (2016, 74 min)
  • Return of The Atom (2015, 110 min, co-dir. w/ Jussi Eerola)
  • SSEENNSSEESS (2013, 55 min, live music by Circle)
  • My Silence (2013, 15 min)
  • Six Day Run (2013, 15 min)
  • The Most Electrified Town In Finland (2012, 15 min)
  • Man and Science (2011, 37 sec)
  • Twilight (2010, 6 min)
  • Sommerreise (2006, 3 min)
  • The Zone of Total Eclipse (2006, 6 min)
  • Optical Sound (2005, 6 min)
  • Stimulus Progression (2005, 4 min)
  • Future Is Not What It Used To Be (2002, 52 min)
  • Verbranntes Land (2001, 7 min)
  • A Physical Ring (2002, 4 min)
  • RoboCup99 (2000, 25 min)
  • Futuro – A New Stance for Tomorrow (1998, 28 min)
  • Pori (1998, 35 min, live music by Circle)
  • Thank You for The Music – A Film about Muzak (1997, 27 min)

 

Selected publications:

  • Mika Taanila: My Silence. Bokeh, Helsinki 2021. Artist book
  • Mika Taanila: Cleaning Tape. Ruton Music, Pori 2021. Cassette
  • Pakasteet ja Draama-Helmi: Tyhjä risteys. Full Contact Records, Pori 2019. LP
  • Pakasteet with Charles Hayward: Molten Salt. Full Contact Records, Pori 2019. LP
  • Mika Taanila: Black and White Movies. Luova 2018. Photo book
  • Pakasteet with Jukka Nousiainen: Kylmäketju katkeaa. Ruton Music, Pori 2018. Cassette / out of print
  • Pakasteet: Pula. Ruton Music, Pori 2017. Cassette
  • Swissair: Viimeinen kutsu 1982. Ruton Music, Pori 2017. Cassette / out of print
  • Mika Taanila: Presents. Ruton Music, Pori 2017. Endless cassette. / out of print
  • Tectonic Plate. Testifilmi, Helsinki 2017. Blu-ray box set /out of print
  • Karvonen, Kirsti; Siitari Pirkko; Taanila, Mika. Muistikatko / Blackout. Ars Fennica 2015, Helsinki. e-catalogue
  • Stimulus Progression. Taanila, Mika. Apparent-Extent, Köln & Badischer Kunstverein, Karlsruhe, 2015.  10 inch vinyl EP
  • Haapala, Leevi & Kivinen, Kati (eds.). Time Machines. Kiasma, Helsinki, 2013. monograph
  • Musiikkivyöry. Tulemme sokeiksi. Ektro Records, Pori, 2009. CD
  • Swissair: Soundtrack for the Film Hermafrodiitit. N&B Research Digest, Helsinki / Moscow, 2008 download
  • Taanila, Mika. Aika & aine. Reel23, Amsterdam, 2006. DVD
  • Munder, Heike (ed.). Mika Taanila, JRP | Ringier, Zurich, 2005. monograph
  • Taanila, Mika (ed.). The Dawn of DIMI. Kinotar/Kiasma, Helsinki, 2003. DVD
  • Taanila, Mika (ed.). Erkki Kurenniemi: Äänityksiä / Recordings 1963-1973. Love Records, Helsinki, 2002. CD / out of print
  • Home, Marko & Taanila, Mika (eds.). Futuro. Tomorrow’s House from yesterday. Desura Books, Helsinki, 2002.  book + dvd
  • Taanila, Mika (ed.). 22-Pistepirkko: Off-Road Manual. Bare Bone Business, Helsinki, 1998. VHS / out of print
  • Nikkilä, Anton & Taanila, Mika (eds.). The Double – Russian Industrial Music and Low-tech Videos. Valtavat Ihmesilmälasit Records, Helsinki, 1993. (VHS) watch trailer
  • Swissair: 15. Joulukuuta 1981. Valtavat Ihmesilmälasit Records, Helsinki, 1981. Cassette. Re-release N&B Research Digest, Helsinki / Moscow, 2009. download
  • Musiikkivyöry 1981. Musiikkivyöryn b-osa (ei jatkoa a-osalle). Valtavat Ihmesilmälasit Records, Helsinki. Re-release 2009 Ektro Records, Pori. Cassette. / out of print
  • Musiikkivyöry 1980. Musiikkivyöry. Valtavat Ihmesilmälasit Records, Helsinki. Re-release 2009 Ektro Records, Pori. Cassette. / out of print