Death in the 21st century presents itself spectacularly. We watch obsessively the twin towers crumble, the tsumami wash away thousands, Iraquis, Americans, Palestinian and Jewish boys blown to bits; we watch and say in unison, isn't it terrible terrible terrible, but our experience is as viewing a movie, a very sad movie, but one in which we ourselves cannot really access, so that the experience is one of bedazzled detachment.

The reality of death - the creep mouse creep mouse motion forth, the march towards impending loss of loved ones, the fact that are bodies will break down and decay, that teeth will rot, and fall out, that minds will be lost, is something that the society at large refuses to acknowledge. It is likely if one admits to such a contemplation they will be ferried in haste to the nearest psycho-pharmocologist who will advise the use of anti-depressants, pills to aid in the obliteration of such thought (popularly known as negative thinking), pills to support the how are you fine culture at large.

In part, Minna Pyhhkala's installation "Hi Die" is a fuck you to the how are you fine approach to life, a life she feels denies us truth, and without truth what is left? A life of pretense; a life ultimately devoid of soul.

"Hi Die" is playful and provocative at once. Minna Pyyhkala wishes to portray an array of vital people photographed over the past two years, subjects ranging in age between thirteen and near death, offering text in which the subjects respond to a series of questions about their personal feelings about death: Do you fear death? Do you believe in life after death? How often do you think about death? If you were to die tomorrow, what would you regret not doing? Is there anything about death you find amusing? Do you view death as an escape? The intimate quality of Ms. Pyyhkala's investigation invites the viewer to explore his/her own true feelings about what is undeniably our most profound moment.