Frieze 2013: Pilvi Takala gives 12-year-olds £11,000 prize money to spend on art works

Thursday 03 October 2013 14:23 BST

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

When Frieze chose Pilvi Takala as the winner of the £11,000 Emdash Award, they were hoping, as every year, for a new artwork from an up-and-coming talent to liven up the tent at this month’s art fair.

What they didn’t expect is that the Finnish artist would hand over the money to a bunch of up-and-coming 12-year-olds, and let them decide on the best art to make with the cash. “I wouldn’t have children run a nuclear power plant but in the context of art their unpredictability is an asset,” says Takala. “Unlike any artists at Frieze, these kids have nothing at stake in the arts world.”

The committee met several times over the school holidays to debate the budget. Their project will be revealed at the fair on 19 October but ideas mooted include a series of personalised action figures and a trip to Jamaica. “On the first session the kids took Pilvi to Victoria Park playground and said they wanted to design a giant slide. One suggested building a house for his mum,” I’m told.

“There’s a risk that the children will come up with an idea that the art world will think is boring or undeserving, and the prize money will in some sense be wasted, but that doesn’t really bother me,” adds Takala.

Also in this week's arts diary

Damien Hirst releases alphabet book for babies

So long Scandi noir: Could Bilingual drama The Tunnel set new TV trend?

The Mighty Boosh reform for Soho Theatre gigs