How do ecological poetics perform between dance, site and image?

Nature Untitled is a new work by choreographer Veli Lehtovaara, visual artist Eija-Liisa Ahtila and sound designer Jani Hietanen with an international group of artists. 

The work is presented in the form of a triptych – each of the three movements discharges on stage in a particular mode. 

The first movement, inside an empty oil silo, dances out the ghosts of exhaustion and energies consumed. The bodies fold and crackle, the steel structure purrs, the phantasms of the oil era burn only to vanish.

In the second movement, we traverse on a field road and in interstellar space. The stage is both enveloping and infinitely extending vacuum, space and ship at the same time, governed by the sound of artificial intuition. Dance wobbles and weaves, recalls and regrets the earth and its beings.

The third movement juxtaposes a primeval forest with a shopping mall. The human-made technological environment plunges into the restful depths of the old growth forests. Dancing bodies graph the divergence of forms and minds emerging within this border zone.

The work is part of Lehtovaara's artistic research (PhD) at the Theater Academy Helsinki.

Performance venues and dates

Please note! The three movements of the performance will take place in different locations.

  • Movement I, 30.10. & 31.10: Oil Silo 468 (Saaristolaivastonkatu, Kruunuvuorenranta)
  • Movement II, 6.11. & 7.11. Zodiak Stage (Cable Factory, Kaapeliaukio 3)
  • Movement III, 12.11. & 13.11. REDI shopping centre (Hermannin rantatie 5, Kalasatama)

See further details below.

Practical tips for the audience

Movement I / Oil Silo 468

Please note that the Oil Silo 468 is an outdoor space. Remember to dress accordingly.

The Oil silo is located at Kruunuvuorenranta in eastern Helsinki. You can easily reach the venue with public transportation. Buses (88 & 88B) from Herttoniemi metro station take you closest to the silo. The nearest stop is on Koirasaarentie (the name of the stop is Haakoninlahdenkatu), about 800 m away from the silo via Saaristolaivankatu and the shore route.

You can also reach the silo by driving to the western end of the current Koirasaarentie and turning left onto Saaristolaivastonkatu. The parking area is on Saaristolaivankatu between Turumankatu and Astridinkatu.

Even though reaching the venue with public transport is fairly easy, we’ve also arranged a free bus ride as an option for the audience. The bus leaves from Herttoniemi metro station on both performance days 30th and 31st October at 5.30 pm. You can book a seat from here. Please note that the capacity is limited and if you wish on board you should book a spot promptly.

Movement II / Zodiak Stage

Movement II, taking place at Zodiak Stage, is a choreographic installation organized in loops of 45min each, starting at every full hour.

  • Sunday the 6th at 15h / 16h /17h 
  • Monday the 7th at 18h / 19h /20h. 

One can enter and exit the performance whenever one likes.

Movement III / REDI Shopping center

For Movement III, please bring your own headphones and a phone or a tablet that connects with the headphones with you to the mall. The ticket buyers are given a QR code, via which the soundscape of the performance can be accessed.

The peformance takes place at floor K1 of Redi shopping centre. You can find it either by entering through the main doors (opposite the old metro station), walking past the info from the right and taking the first downward escalators or by taking an elevator directly to K1 from the metro platform level.

 

Choreography: Veli Lehtovaara in collaboration with the performers
Performers: Elias Girod, Anni Koskinen, Sofia Simola, Matilda Aaltonen, Erik Eriksson (SE), Inga Huld Hákonardóttir (IS), Kevin Fay (US)
Space, scenography and moving image: Eija-Liisa Ahtila

Sound design: Jani Hietanen
Light design: Anton Verho (movement I, original design, adaptation Anna Pöllänen), Luc Schaltin (movement II)
Costume design: Piia Rinne (movements I and III, movement II adaptation & black fragments), Heide Vanderieck (movement II, original costumes)
Knitted hats and the neckwarmer: Anja Lehtovaara
Dramaturgical support: Merel Heering
Environmental educator: Riitta Nykänen (movement III)

Cinematography: Pekka Uotila (movement I), Arto Kaivanto (movement II)
Edit: Heikki Kotsalo
Production assistant: Sofia Charifi

Production: Entirely Moved
Co-production: Zodiak, Moving in November,
Institut finlandais
Productional support: Arts Management Helsinki
Recidencies: La Briqueterie CDCN Val-de-Marne (FR), wpZimmer (BE),
BIT Teaterngarasjen (NO)
Supported by: Finnish Cultural Foundation, Arst Promotion Centre Finland, Dance House Helsinki / SPARKS, TelepArt / The Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux, Tutke | The Performing Arts Research Center in Theater Academy, Uniarts Helsinki
Special thanks to: Laatikkokauppa | Kirsi Pitkänen (realization of the boxes), Pro Av Saarikko Oy (video technic), Eventgear Oy (LED technic), Lauri Supponen (musical contribution), Ilppo Pohjola | Crystal Eye, Kauppakeskus REDI, Joma Richter & Tove Lehtovaara-Richter, Jaakko & Pirjo Lehtovaara

PREMIERE