We find ourselves navigating a peculiar timeline where the past springs back to life, while the present and future congeal into an enigmatic entity. For us, light and darkness are intertwined, as eloquently expressed by the Master: ”We embody the brilliance of Intellect at dawn, as well as the profound night of Madness!”
We, Konstantin Tuonihovi and Carita Hännikäinen, have founded the occult-visionary artist collective, Tuonen Portti*. Our foremost ambition is to champion authentic art that does not yield to the postmodernistic conditions but instead crafts Works that challenge time, thereby serving as a portal from our mundane everyday existence to the realms of the mythical.
Visionary art operates on the fringes, within liminal spaces. The mystical visions encountered and channeled through deepened consciousness form its most potent essence. These profoundly personal experiences are not gleaned from the stringent curriculums of art schools, but are unearthed from the unfathomable depths of the human soul.
Artists like us have graced this world throughout human history, making it effortless to find mentors. Among them, the late esoteric-centric journalist-artist Perttu Häkkinen is the most inspirational. His pioneering work continues to influence us, and we are committed to preserving and extending his legacy in both Finnish and transnational esoteric art. Likewise, Master C.G. Jung, whose conveyed Gnosis reinvigorates our souls following years of neglect. This shared deficiency of Knowledge unites Us with You, the Outsiders amidst the herd-like masses.
In the contemporary world, where the dominant Goddess of Reason has eclipsed religions and ancient deities, the true meaning of life can only be unearthed in the subconscious of the most perceptive individuals. Rather than succumbing to scientistic depletion, one must seek Gnosis, the pursuit and dissemination of which is the intent of our Initiation.
Esotericism is currently undergoing a revival, evidenced by the commendable books and thoughtfully curated exhibitions of researcher Nina Kokkinen and her team. They have elevated our country’s Golden Age Artists, who resonate closely with us, the gate dwellers.
As we know, material life is about renunciation. All of Being inevitably gets washed away as the floodwaters of Death** finally crash against our faces. However, in the Depths, beyond everything transient, lies that which is eternal: Numinous Continuum, a flow unfettered by the chains of life, terminal equilibrium.
The initiation of the artist collective, Gate of Tuoni, offers a tribe for visionary artists where one can discard their mask and cease to live by earthly laws. We beckon you to portray otherworldly phenomena in alignment with the Tuonen Portti. You, our spiritual kin, wearied by this spiritless wasteland.
We welcome you to our ranks, You, the Seeker who has yearned for kinship with others like Yourself!
May 27, 2021
TT
* Transl. Gate of Tuoni
** ”Tuoni” is Death in Finnish mythology.