The Aalto Natives is an installation with video and animatronics by English artist Nathaniel Mellors (1974, Doncaster) and Finnish artist Erkka Nissinen (1975, Jyväskylä), and it was one of the highlights of the 2017 Venice Biennale according to both the press and public. This video is the single screen version of the piece.
Mellors and Nissinen share an interest in how satire can be employed in art to critically examine today’s world. With The Aalto Natives they demonstrate that humour and absurdism in art are relevant and effective instruments to critically engage with topical social issues. Aalto Natives is a humorous yet critical examination of Finnish identity that involves creativity, nerdy humour and a cast of national celebrities. The work reflects on themes such as national identity, creation myths and nationalism.