In this senior course led by Jyrki Karttunen we explore ourselves as dancers and we learn to take ownership of the way we dance and move.
On this course we focus on the qualitative aspect of dancing and performing, emphasising ‘how’ something is done rather than ‘what’ is done. Karttunen's approach embraces the importance of having comprehensive authority and agency over one’s own movement, seeing it as a fundamental element of dancing. Through taking an ownership of our own dance we can be seen in different ways, also with elements that we don't usually express in everyday life.
The classes draw inspiration from Jyrki's collaboration with Deborah Hay, as well as from other encounters during his extensive career as an artist. During the classes, participants work individually within a shared atmosphere.
Jyrki Karttunen commenced his dance career in 1989 with the Helsinki Dance Company of Helsinki City Theatre. Since 1993, Karttunen has primarily worked as a freelance dancer and later as a choreographer, being one of the founders of Nomadi Productions. In 2008, Karttunen Kollektiv was established, with Karttunen serving as its artistic director from 2008 to 2012. He worked as the artistic director of the Helsinki Dance company from 2013 to 2017 and as the principal choreographer of Helsinki City Theatre from 2017 to 2019.
Since 2018, Karttunen's work has been characterised by a pursuit of new approaches to dance, alongside a desire to return to the roots of working as a dancer and performer. In the autumn of 2021, Karttunen graduated with a Bachelor of Social Services, qualifying in early childhood education and care, aiming to work with children and young people. On 1 December 2023, Karttunen commenced his role as the director of Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth. This season Jyrki has directed & choreographed traditional Winter Circus with a title Film.
Jyrki's potrait: Elina Keckman
