JOHN PHILLIP MÄKINEN

1975 Lives in Helsinki

Children of the Revolution. Textile, 2007

The take on the jacket springs from the ongoing dialogue of Estonian-Russian issues. The artist followed recordings of the Bronze Night on YouTube and the angry comments justifying or being hostile against either the Estonian or the Russian side being added every hour. There was no neutral position.
The MA-1 jacket is a symbol of anxious areas all over the world. Initially, the jacket came either in camouflage, to allow the landing troopers go unnoticed, or orange, to facilitate finding the shot-down pilot. Mäkinen has customised the colour code according to the situation in Tallinn. The double-sided jacket is a witty play with diplomatic camouflage, which side to emphasise, which to hide.





Photos: Reimo Võsa-Tangsoo 2007 © Center for Contemporary Arts, Estonia