Anni Reponen

Ph.D. candidate in Art History and Visual Studies

My research project is about the emotional worlds of artistic communities and the affect of art produced within these communities. As a case study, I examine the fin-de-siècle Swedish and Finnish female artists at the intersection of abstraction, symbolism, and spirituality, as well as their communities: Hilma af Klint (1862-1944) and Anna Cassel (1860-1937) (and the groups The Five and The Thirteen), Ellen Thesleff (1869-1954), and Aleksandra Ionowa (1899-1980).

Concepts such as emotional reactions linked to the occult and resonance are explored, through Hartmut Rosa’s resonance theory. I will also use the term emotional communities as discussed by Barbara H. Rosenwein. Why are abstract women artists so fascinating today, and does this fascination relate to the need for connection in an increasingly alienating world?

I previously studied at Universidad Complutense de Madrid (BA, 2014-2018) and Stockholm University (MA, 2018-2020). My non-academic professional background is in cultural education, museum work, and curatorial practice.