Esteemed rector, deans, teachers, Uniarts staff, dear art students,
I confess to you: I am an accomplisher.
I demand a lot from myself, often even the impossible. Even tried to approach the task of writing this speech as something I have to accomplish. I wrote until I got annoyed: I erased everything and started over. And I did that, again and again.
I tried to write about everything and nothing at the same time.
I tried to write about the world, the pain and culture of hostility that we live amongst every day.
I tried to write about the Finnish government's wrecking politics that aim to weed out all the so called extra out.
I tried to write about the creative industries that face million-size cuts that don't only erode but destroys Finnish culture production.
I tried to write about us students, who start our academic year here at Uniarts Helsinki at the same time as changes to study grant make our everydaylife an unbearable struggle. More and more of us students live beneath the poverty line and it forces many of us to work and do long days between different institutions.
I tried to write about an art student that is hunting for a degree by hoarding study credits. That is an accomplisher, like everyone else.
I tried to write about all of this only to notice: truly: I have nothing uplifting to say.
We live in a world where the culture of individualism and accomplishment is strong. Idleness and being are frowned upon like a plague that must be eradicated.
Society has made working the altar for its religion: only by working you can be of use to society and be fulfilled as a person.
I have been thinking about our art students' relationship with work. Our class schedules often seem very stuffed. Through the socially wearing studies we are aiming towards a field where work is scarce. The realities and pressures of employment hit us in the face already at the beginning of studies.
In the hybris of accomplishment of our times, us art students need to remind ourselves where art sucks its initial force.
In art studies, one hardly ever just fulfills or accomplishes tasks, they are applied to one's own worldview and taste. Taste being at the center of everything.
Like all inspiration, art too is born out of boredom and idleness. It's a process that requires an undefined amount of space, time and oxygen around itself.
Art is an objection against the culture of accomplishment and the artist is its enemy. But this is something relatives and the parliament's decision makers don't often understand: An artist is useful even when they are not being of use to anyone.
Break the rules.
Dig deep into your belly button. Twiddle your thumbs. Watch TV, movies, watch reality tv. Watch sports. The longer you do nothing, the better. Embrace your boredom. Read literature. It doesn't have to be anything intelligent. As long as you read.
Expose yourself to all kinds of art. Music, visual arts, performing arts. Expose yourself to both good and bad art. Embrace your own taste.
Look at a person. Practice the noble art of listening.
Love unconditionally. Remember that in our time empathy is a revolutionary act. Be a revolutionary in your idleness.
Get coffee, or a beer, with your friends. Remember that doing so is not a prize for working,
it's vital condition, more important than the work itself.
Be active in the school community. Get to know your fellow students. Expand your
support system. Be present.
Find things you enjoy. Come up with a hobby that has nothing to do with your studies.
Embrace your pleasure.
Remember that as an artist, more important that doing art, is not doing it.
Remember, that in your studies, you show up.
Remember that only what is meaningful and necessary, is worth doing.
Listen to expressions of reality. Feed the hunger of your soul. Don't hesitate.
And most of all:
Keep your heart open.
I wish you all a happy new academic year!
Eero Leichner
Board member of the Student Union 2025
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