December news
December 14th to 15th was the end weekend for the second round Choreography studies in Open Campus, University of Arts Helsinki I have been facilitating and mentoring together with choreographer and performer Pie Kär and dance historian, researcher and performer Anne Makkonen. One year long studies with 16 professional dance and theatre artist, visiting experts in the field of choreography, dramaturge and production was rich and meaningful experience with discussions, art making and sharing around choreographic work from different perspectives. Thank you for all participants!
December 16th to 18th I taught first and third year BA students in Dance Program, Theatre Academy, Uniarts Helsinki. Morning classes included experimental anatomy, movement research and improvisation and afternoon classes shiatsu, tao yoga, chi song and taiji with introduction to Taoist philosophy behind these practices.
News from Japan 15/11/24
I have now spent 15 days in Japan, mainly in Space Department Residence Nara where I have dived more deeply to meaning of empty space and ma in local culture, interaction, art and architecture. Time here has been meaningful, and I am working with small solo performance and installation, which is going to be performed on 24th November in the artistit residence. During residence I have also continued with the writing of commentary of my doctoral research. It has felt important to spend time in Japan and get entangled with environment here. I also take part to butoh artist Seiji Tanaka’s butoh lessons during my stay in Nara.
I visitited shortly in Tokyo Ochanomizu University 14th November and presented and kept a workshop of my Artistic Research Project to Professor Mayumi Kuno-Mizumura’s MA graduate students. I am grateful for Mayumi to make my visit possible. The atmosphere was very warm and welcoming. Same trip in Tokyo I met dance artist Sini Länsivuori, who is currently living in Tokyo, and had nice evening with her talking about Dance Art and experiences of Japanese culture.
On 24th November I performed solo choreography Tilan Syvyys/Depth of Space/空間の深さ in Space Department Nara as an output of artist residence. Solowork was inspired about 間ma, places I visited during my stay in Japan and the architecture of traditional Japanese house. After performance we had a discussion with audience members.
Autumn news
On September I started to work with Sanna Valvanne and her Sing&Shine Choir and their new choir work Kaunis Minä (Premiere 9.5.2025 in Tapiolasali, Espoo). I am teaching to choir members from children to seniors movement workshops integrating somatic movement, improvisation and instant composition. In the workshops we focus on sensing our own body and opening to embodied listening of the group and shared space, and create dances together based on these conditions. https://singandshine.fi
I am continuing as a responsible lecturer in Choreography studies (20ects) Theatre Academy Uniarts Helsinki Open Campus. One year long studies will continue until December 2024.
This Autumn I have been teaching also in Helsinki Shiatsu School experimental anatomy, taoyoga and bodymind awareness. https://shiatsuschoolhelsinki.com
In November I am working with my Doctoral Artistic Research Project in Space Department Nara, Japan, where I am in Artists Residence for one month. https://www.spacedepartment-nara.com
Happened in the spring 2024
Last spring I worked as a guest teacher in Ba Dance Program, Theatre Academy, Uniarts Helsinki and in Riveria Dance Program Outokumpu teaching and mentoring students in Aristic Research course.
From January to May I was working with a new choreography Virtaava for 28 dancers of the Finnish National Ballet School professional education program. (Premiere 22.5. 2024 Almi Hall, Finnish National Opera)
photo: Roosa Oksaharju
In June I graduated from three year SOLU Somatic Movement Training (600h) education as a somatic movement practitioner and therapist.