Roi Vaara

Tallberginkatu 1 E/105
FIN - 00180 Helsinki 
tel: +358-44-3301115



Roi Vaara is one of the most internationally recognized performance artist from Scandinavia. Was born in Moss, Norway 1953 form Finnish parents. He studied in the University of Art and Design in Helsinki 1972-75 and in JyvŠskylŠ University1976-77.

Since 1988, Vaara has performed in Black Market International, a group of 12 artist from different countries and continents.
He was awarded International Studio Program to KŸntlerhaus Bethanien, Berlin, Germany 1997-98.
He has presented about 300 different performances, that has taken place in more than 200 international exhibititons/festivals in 36 countries, among other things, also in Venice Biennal, Italy (2001, 2005), Havana Biennal (2004), and Manifesta 5, San Sebastian,
Spain (2004). Vaara received the State Prize for Art from the Art Council of Finland in 2000 and Ars Fennica Prize from Henna and Pertti Niemistš Foundation in 2005.
He lives and works in Helsinki, Finland.

Recent performances:
Friktioner, International Performance Festival, Uppsala Art Museum, Uppsala, SE, 2008
Below the Surface, When Things Cast No Shadow, 5th Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art, Dock 11, Berlin, DE, 2008
In the Context of Art: Differences Ñ Interactions, International Festival, Centre for Contemporary Art Ujazdowski Castle, Warsaw, PL, 2008
InterAzione XXI Festival, International Festival of Performance Arts, Video and Installations, Teatro Arka, Assemini, Sardinia, IT, 2008
Digital Media 1.0, Digital Media Festival, La Nau, Carrer University of Valencia, Valencia, ES, 2008
Roi Vaara, Grace Exhibition Space, New York, US, 2008
History Alive/Perform History, Overgaden Institute for Contemporary Art , Copenhagen, DK, 2008
Laughing in a Foreign Language, Hayward Gallery, London, UK, 2008
Snow Balls Sale, Open air markets in Sotkamo, Kajaani and Kuopio, FI, 2008


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