Research output per year
Research output per year
Personal profile
Artistic and research interests
Dr. Harri Laakso is Associate Professor of Photography Research and the Head of the Department of Art and Media. Laakso is an artist researcher and curator interested in photographic images and theory, artistic research and images’ relations to words and performative actions.
He holds a BFA in Film, Photography and Visual Arts from Ithaca College, New York (1991), MA in photography from University of Art and Design Helsinki (1996), Graduate Certificate in Art History, Theory and Criticism from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1999). He received his doctoral degree from the University of Art and Design Helsinki (2003).
He has led, and participated in, many artistic and research projects (e.g. PI in “Figures of Touch” 2009–2012, Senior researcher in “Floating Peripheries. Floating Peripheries – Mediating the sense of place” 2017-2021) curated and co-curated exhibitions (e.g. Backlight Photography Triennials 2002–2008; “Grey Matters” in Finnish Museum of Photography 2007; “Falling Trees” in Finnish and Nordic pavilions at the 55th Venice Biennale in 2013).
Laakso has been Chair of the Board for Public Display Grants to Visual Artists, Arts Promotion Center Finland (2018-2020), Chair of the Subcommittee for Photographic Art, in the National Council for Visual Arts, Arts Promotion Centre Finland (2015-2016), and Chair of the National Council for Photographic Art in Finland (2013-2014).
Laakso has published many texts related to photography and contemporary art in academic contexts as well as in artists’ books. He has been member (since 2014) and is presently the Chair of the Editorial Board of RUUKKU Journal of Artistic Research. Laakso is member of the Academic Board of The Artistic Research Doctoral School of Aalto (AREA).
Laakso’s current teaching (MA and DA) includes Photography theory, Contemporary photography history (as part of “Thinking practices”), and Artistic research. He is supervisor and advisor of 14 completed doctoral students in the fields of photography, contemporary art, and visual culture. He is co-chair of the Art of Research Conference 2023 and chair of the organizing group of the Helsinki Photomedia Conference 2024.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Doctoral degree, Arts and Design, Helsinki University of Arts and Design
Award Date: 19 Dec 2003
Master's degree, Arts and Design, Helsinki University of Arts and Design
Award Date: 15 May 1996
Bachelor's degree, Arts and Design, Ithaca College
Award Date: 18 May 1991
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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Art of Research 2023: Re-Imagining
Laakso, H., Pantouvaki, S., Valle-Noronha, J., Krokfors, K., Helke, S. & Falin, P., 30 Nov 2023, Helsinki: Aalto University. 192 p. (Art of Research)(Aalto University publication series ART + DESIGN + ARCHITECTURE)Research output: Book/Report › Anthology › Scientific › peer-review
Open AccessFile65 Downloads (Pure) -
Photographic Parafictions (An Aside)
Laakso, H., 1 Jan 2023, Figurations of Peripheries through Arts and Visual Studies: Peripheries in Parallax. Loukola, M., Mäkiranta, M. & , J. T. (eds.). Routledge, p. 81-95 15 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review
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Nomadic Science Fiction: Experiencing Diversity and Alterity Through Urbanising Mongolia
Wilenius, A., Hacklin, S. (Editor), Laakso, H., Rajanti, T. & von Bonsdorff, P., 2022, Aalto-yliopisto. 236 p. (Aalto University publication series ART + DESIGN + ARCHITECTURE; vol. 2021, no. 3)Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Open Access -
Reposaari - mission impossible
Euro, P., Rajanti, T., Laakso, H. & Ryynänen, M., 2022, Visual artist’s workbook : essays and exercises on teaching arts. Ziegler, D. & Porkola, P. (eds.). Taideyliopisto, p. 67-68 2 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Other chapter contribution
Open Access -
The Tail of a Comet
Laakso, H., 15 Nov 2022, Where do images come from?: Detours around Ted Serios's "thoughtographic" photographs. Kella, M. (ed.). Uniarts Helsinki, p. 73-92Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific
Open Access
Projects
- 2 Finished
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VILKKU: Visuaalinen kulttuuri ja luovan talouden vaihtoehdot 2013-2014
Turkko, A. (Project Member), Ryynänen, M. (Project Member), Orenius, M. (Project Member), Euro, P. (Project Member), Jensen, A. (Project Member), Saarinen, V.-M. (Project Member), Rajanti, T. (Project Member) & Laakso, H. (Principal investigator)
01/01/2013 → 31/03/2015
Project: EU Structural funds (ERDF and ESF)
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Kosketuksen figuurit
Laakso, H. (Principal Investigator), Elo, M. (Project Member), Gröndahl, L. (Project Member), Honkasalo, M.-L. (Project Member), Kirkkopelto, E. (Project Member), Loukola, M. (Project Member) & Santanen, S. (Project Member)
01/01/2010 → 31/12/2012
Project: Academy of Finland: Other research funding
Prizes
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Aalto University Annual Excellence Award in Teaching
Tavin, K. (Recipient), Laakso, H. (Recipient), Tervo, J. (Recipient) & Kekola, M. (Recipient), Dec 2017
Prize: Award or honor granted for a specific work
Activities
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Art of Research Conference
Laakso, H. (Chair), Pantouvaki, S. (Chair), Helke, S. (Chair), Valle Noronha, J. (Chair), Krokfors, K. (Chair) & Falin, P. (Member)
Jan 2023 → Dec 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Membership of a scientific or program committee of a conference or seminar
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RUUKKU. Studies in Artistic Research (Journal)
Harri Laakso (Editor-in-chief)
2023 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editor-in-chief in a journal or in a book series
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Chair of Departmental committee for tenure review of professor
Laakso, H. (Chair)
2022 → …Activity: Academic assessments › Statement of assessment of professorship
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Pre-examiner of Nanni Vapaavuori’s doctoral production “Midsummer night shifts / Kesäyövuorot”
Harri Laakso (Examiner)
20 Jun 2022 → 22 Jun 2022Activity: Academic assessments › Pre-examination of doctoral thesis or acting as opponent to doctoral students or membership of doctoral thesis committee or board
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Helsinki Photomedia
Harri Laakso (Chair)
2022 → …Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Membership of a scientific or program committee of a conference or seminar
Press/Media
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Aalto-yliopisto lakkauttaa valokuvataiteen maisteriohjelman itsenäisenä ohjelmana, opiskelijamäärät vähenevät – Henkilökunta huolestui koulutuksen laadusta
13/01/2022
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Media appearance
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Taiteen opetusta myllätään Aallossa – uuden laitoksen johtaja: “En näe tässä mitään dramaattista”
11/01/2022
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Media appearance
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