Konttori (building 7)
Interview with Veikko Somerpuro, André Järf and Tuomas Onttonen:
Harmaat ('The Grey Ones') started up their workroom in 2008, when the Kaapeli had just begun to rent spaces in Suvilahti and four freelance photographers were looking for a workroom. A fifth photographer, Veikko Somerpuro, joined in 2009 and is still one of the group. Otherwise the line-up has changed completely – nowadays the group comprises the filmmakers Tuomas Onttonen, Iddo Soskolne and Tuomo Hutri plus freelance translator André Järf. The search has been on for new tenants for the Harmaat workroom via friends and acquaintances.
The transformation of the photography section affected the composition of Harmaat
"In the early 2000s all was still going well for photographers, but with digitalisation all that began to change. Indeed many photographers have started to make videos too. On the other hand, there has been an increase marketing photography, even though newspaper journalism has gone down. All organisations and companies simply need more images all the time", Veikko says.
Veikko photographs people mostly elsewhere than in Suvilahti: "At the university, say, I have been photographing there all my career. They need pictures of researchers etc. all the time. If necessary I have rented the Magito studio in Suvilahti. It’s the cheapest studio in the city. We have also borrowed a floor washing machine from there!"
Tuomas does all sorts of film-related work, editing, writing etc. "Film directors have been involved in the editing here. Luckily there’s space round the table. For example, the film Kommunistin tytär ('Daughter of a Communist') was edited here. A further synergy is that Auruaudio is a tenant in the same building. I have rented recording equipment from them."
The Harmaat team are happy about the Suvilahti community: "Sami Kulju has helped us out too."
The Suvilahti concept is a good one
"The Suvilahti concept is a good one. And of course the fact that the rents are affordable. This is probably the only workroom of its type in Suvilahti and back then we were pioneers in the field. Now you find them all over the city, and they’ve become a business", Veikko reflects.
"It’s nice to be able to chat with someone now and again and go for lunch. This is lonely work and everyone is doing their own things. The social aspect is important", André adds.
"We’ve had barbecues and parties in the Suvilahti garden and invited present and former tenants in this building. Last time there was a band too, and JohnnyTotem and VJ Hellstone, who are tenants here, organised a fantastic audiovisual show", Veikko says.
"There are great projects underway", Veikko reflects and adds: "The work done at the gasometer construction site is amazing, I’ve been photographing there. For example there’s a metal arch tens of metres across that was built by hand."
The Harmaat group also have some improvements to suggest: "A café would be great. Café Aaltopelti, which was here in the beginning, was terrific. And if there’s a lot of empty outdoor space in future to, it would be nice to be able to ski in winter. Or do tourskating!"
In summer 2021. Photo: Anni Sundell