Armo @ Nivalan Seuratupa

Äänitaiteilija: Jaakko Autio / Tuottaja: Inka Hannula / Kuoro: Raudaskylän kuoro / Paikka: Nivalan Seuratupa, Körtti herättäjäjuhlat 2019 / Työtä on tukenut: Kyösti Kallion säätiö, SKR ja Taike.

Armo -installaatio on 24-kanavainen immersiivinen kuoroteos. Teoksessa kuullaan äänimateriaalia Raudaskylän kuoroharjoituksista, jota johtaa Olena Mikhailova. Kuoroharjoitukset äänitettiin samanaikaisesti 24 mikrofonilla. Lopullisessa installaatiossa jokaisen laulajan paikalle sijoitettiin oma kaiutiun. Installaation esillepano on rakennettu 1:1-suhteessa alkuperäiseen äänityshetkeen.

Installaatio tarjoaa näkökulman kuoron laulajien sekä läsnäolevan yleisön väliseen tilaan. Installaatio on tutkielma ihmisten välisestä kuuntelun tilasta, joka kurottaa toista ihmistä, musiikin maailmaa ja nyt hetkeä kohti.

Installaatio osallistaa yleisöä. Kaikkien kaiuttimien keskellä on suuri punainen nappi. Yleisöä on ohjeistettu painamaan nappia. Kun nappia painetaan, tietokone valitsee satunnaisesti yhden äänen 24 äänen joukosta, joka soi yksinään 15 sekunnin ajan. 15 sekunnin kuluttua koko kuoro palaa ääneen. Painamalla nappia uudelleen yleisö voi käydä läpi kaikki kuoron laulajat yksi kerrallaan. Teoksen oivallus on, että kaikki äänet yksinään heilahtelevat ja virheelliset, mutta yhdessä kuoro luo katharttisen kokemuksen.

Armo – Jaakko Autio’s installation in Nivala’s community hall, is a captivating embodiment of culture and art.

Autio’s vision came to life as he meticulously constructed the ARMO installation over the course of an entire week. This ambitious project required approximately one and a half kilometers of cable, five hundred meters of tape, twenty-five speakers, twenty-four stands, thirteen amplifiers, four sound cards, and two computers.

The physical tools employed in the creation of this installation facilitate a universal yet profoundly personal experience for visitors at Nivala’s community hall. Originally, Autio had intended to unveil Armo in Ylivieska, but upon discovering that the community hall in Nivala was available for the entire celebratory weekend, plans shifted accordingly.

With an estimated attendance of thirty thousand people over the weekend festivities, Armo is expected to captivate an unprecedented audience. Autio’s deep connection to his roots can be seen through his recent immersion in the Körttikuoro (a Finnish choir renowned for their hymn-singing tradition) in his current hometown of Helsinki. In fact, Autio even had a Körttipuku (traditional Finnish religious attire) specially made for himself. During our interview, Autio spoke fondly of his mother, Kaarina Autio, who currently sings in the Raudaskylä 100-year-old mixed choir.

Inspired by this jubilant choir, Autio’s Armo installation takes participants on a historical journey far beyond a mere century. It transports them to a time before the existence of herännäisyys (a Finnish religious revival movement). Armo showcases three Siionin virret (hymns from the Finnish hymn book), with Autio tracing one of the hymns, Virren 56, back to the 18th century. Only one person sings all four verses of this hymn, creating an auditory tapestry that traverses the ages, from ancient Finnish heritage to the present day.

Symbolically, the arrangement of the speakers in the installation forms two concentric circles, emphasizing a perpetual geometric pattern. This motif beautifully juxtaposes the human element, highlighting the value of local community. Autio proudly showcases the speakers positioned on stands exclaiming, “Here are the basses, the tenors, the altos, and the sopranos.” Though most speakers have their own pedestal, one is placed atop a piano. Autio chuckles, remarking, “That one represents our choir director, Elena Mihailova.”

Within the installation, Autio has cleverly integrated his mother’s voice by dedicating a speaker solely to his mother, Kaarina Autio. The essence of Armo is difficult to put into words, as it emanates a strong and timeless emotional connection between father and son. It echoes the significance that music holds in the hearts of individuals. Autio succinctly encapsulates the fundamental idea behind his creation, stating that singing allows individuals to express themselves differently from their everyday lives – an opportunity to focus on harmonizing with fellow singers, seeking a unifying connection between oneself, one’s body, and the whole.

During the spring, Autio recorded the choir rehearsals, providing each choir member with a miniature microphone to capture their singing and relaxed banter between songs. Initially, some members felt nervous about being recorded, but as the process unfolded, they became completely engrossed in the music, oblivious to the presence of the microphones. Autio recounts, “There are approximately thirty choir members. It wasn’t mandatory for everyone to participate in the recording. I hoped to have around twenty singers, but to my surprise, twenty-eight turned up.”

For visitors experiencing the installation, they are encouraged to immerse themselves in the choir’s collective intelligence and explore the individual voices. Autio explains that by distancing oneself from the speakers, the soundscape transforms, offering a distinct perception compared to standing close to a specific singer’s speaker.

When a person sings in a choir, they become an active part of something greater than themselves. Through effort, focus, and surrender, the singer becomes a participant in the creation of art. Sound and music have fascinated Autio since his youth. Rather than being drawn to bands during his school days, he was a solitary artist, creating electronic music. After graduating from high school, Autio pursued sound design, originally enamored by the world of film. However, during his studies, he discovered his passion for theater. After completing his sound design education, he went on to earn a Master’s degree in theater arts.

Later this year, Autio’s sound design will be showcased in two productions, one at the Helsinki City Theatre and another at Ahaa Teatteri. He hopes to continue his artistic work more extensively, with upcoming plans for an installation in the Netherlands, where he recently recorded pigs in a pigsty. Autio nods when I suggest that this particular installation will address the issue of intensive pig farming in the Netherlands. Currently, he is collaborating with artists Terike Haapojan and Laura Gustafsson on this project. Additionally, Autio is developing a work centered around pilgrimage in collaboration with Saija Jäntti, and he is in talks for a collaboration with a choir led by Jussi Mattila, a native of Lohtaja in the direction of Kuopio.

The unveiling of Armo reveals Jaakko Autio’s dedication to weaving together history, art, and community, creating an immersive experience that resonates deeply with visitors. It is a testament to his artistic talent and his ability to convey profound narratives through sound. As Autio eagerly looks ahead to future projects and creative endeavors, his passion for his craft continues to shine through, touching the hearts and minds of all who encounter his work.

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Jaakko Autio’s Armo Installation is an impressive musical experience that offers the listener a unique journey.

In the installation, the listener can move amidst the speakers and immerse themselves in the world of authentic music. The 101-year-old mixed choir of Raudaskylä has recorded the vocals, which are played back through each speaker separately in the installation. This way, each choir member’s voice reaches the listener’s ears clearly and distinctively.

This Armo Installation is Jaakko Autio’s return to his roots and his close connection with the choir and singing tradition of Ostrobothnia. He wants to highlight the power of sound and its ability to convey emotions and feelings. In the installation, the listener can truly experience being surrounded by the choir, hearing echoes and harmonies.

The Nivala Awakening Festival provides the perfect setting for the Armo Installation. The intimate atmosphere of the seuratupa (meeting room) enhances the beauty of the music. Jaakko Autio’s skills and vision as a sound designer make this installation an unforgettable experience for those who have the opportunity to witness it.

The Armo Installation combines tradition and the latest technology. It allows the music to reach deep into the listener’s emotions and revive centuries-old melodies. This unique combination makes the Armo Installation a true musical gem and an unforgettable experience for all music lovers.

Jaakko Autio has designed an installation that also holds a significant spiritual connection for me. It features different hymns, one of which is an early 19th-century hymn by Paavo Ruotsalainen called “Yhden armoa kerjäävän syntisen nöyrä rukouksen huuto” (“The humble prayer of one seeking grace”). This hymn, Zion’s Hymn 56, is performed in its original 18th-century version. Additionally, two other hymns, “Rukoilla täällä täytyy” (“We must pray here”) and “Kehoitus” (“Exhortation”), are included in the repertoire of the Raudaskylä mixed choir.

It is interesting to note that Autio comes from Pading, Nivala. He is a professional sound expert and is currently working on sound design for the main stage of Helsinki City Theatre. After a year of preparation, he is finalizing the sound design and implementation of the installation. Autio is in charge of the sound design itself, with Inka Hannula serving as the producer, and Tuomas Elsilä as the sound engineer. The Raudaskylä mixed choir has practiced the hymns for six months to ensure the installation is perfect.

Autio has invested in the technical execution of the installation. Cutting-edge technology is used, and each choir member has their own microphones, speakers, and necessary equipment. The installation utilizes a total of 28 button microphones, the same number of microphone preamps, speakers, speaker stands, and 8-inch speaker elements. In addition, 240 meters of microphone cable and 1.2 kilometers of speaker cable are required. Autio has received the necessary support for the implementation of the installation. He has received cultural work grants from the Keski-Pohjanmaa Foundation, the Central Ostrobothnia Fund of the Finnish Cultural Foundation, and the Arts Promotion Centre Finland. The recording space has been provided by Nivalan Seuratupa.

Journalist, Elisa Kujala

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Jaakko Autio’s installation Grace is more than just rehearsals for the Raudaskylä mixed choir.

The installation “Armo/Grace” by Jaakko Autio at Nivala’s meeting place is truly a multidimensional experience. It offers visitors the opportunity to dive into different levels and find meaning in the symbolism of the artwork. If you happen to be at Nivala’s meeting place today, you can hear and experience the rehearsals of the Raudaskylä mixed choir. Jaakko Autio’s installation “Armo” is deeply touching and impactful, but its true power is revealed only to those who take the time to sit down and listen to what the artwork has to offer. Although the duration of the piece is 17 minutes, the concept of time actually fades away, and it is worth staying longer in the presence of “Armo”.

I had to interrupt my experience of “Armo” myself because there was another wonderful and gracious performance waiting for me at the Nivala ice rink. The dance drama “For Your Love” based on the correspondence of Arvi and Maija Ruuttunen moved me and touched my heart. Love also emanates from Jaakko Autio’s installation “Armo”. Jaakko Autio, who is a sound designer and a master of theater arts, knows how to move people. His mother and grandmother also have a singing background, and Jaakko himself wants to be part of the generational chain of singing by joining a choir in Helsinki.

When you step into the “Armo” exhibition, you will notice the true connection that stems from the personal context of the artwork. The soul of the experiencer ignites and merges with the emotional atmosphere of the artwork. As a listener, you might also be looking for something familiar in the choir, perhaps memories of your own parents who once sang in a mixed choir. In Aution’s work, the choir members recorded their own parts during rehearsals with lapel microphones, which were then distributed to different speakers in the space. You can approach a speaker and listen to how the different voices resonate and blend together into a harmonious whole.

The experience of the “Armo” installation is powerful and evokes various emotions. At times, memories from past decades and intense emotions may choke you, but at the same time, you may smile and enjoy the moments in this unique space. “Armo” is full of beautiful details, such as a raised piano from which the choir director gives instructions. You don’t need to press your ear close to the speaker to hear how to sing now. “Armo” makes room for all voices and encourages each listener to find their own place and power in the community. Each choir member offers support and comfort to others, and together they create a beautiful and pleasing result.

Jaakko Autio’s installation “Armo” is a holistic experience that moves both on a personal and a communal level. If desired, you can press the red button and momentarily shut out other sounds, but the choir always rejoins, demonstrating the power of togetherness. “Armo” invites us to pause, listen, and find our place in this beautiful harmony.

Tiina Ruotsala / Keskipohjanmaa+ / Tue, July 9, 2019