The Song of Time @ Oulu Art Museum, Care Homes of Kainuu and Northern Ostrobothnia 2023–2025

Jaakko Autio: The Song of Time – A Sound Bath for Six
Oulu Art Museum’s Mini Art Cabinet for Elderly Care Services 2023–2025

Sound Artist and Convener: Jaakko Autio / Script and Poetry: Jaakko Autio / Narrator: Eeva-Maija Haukinen / Composition: Anna Voutilainen / Table Builder: Artisan Student Venla Kitti / Choirs: Cassiopeia: Anna-Maija Multas, Eeli Antikainen, Henri Salin, Heikki Kuoppala, Jonna Nyrhinen, Katri Leppälä, Kirsi Valtiala, Lauri Tovinen, Laura Metsavainio, Linda Pyykkönen, Malla Säkkinen, Maija Huhtinen, Moona Hakkarainen, Oona Sakko, Peppi Virtanen, Sakaria Pouke, Sohvi Nopanen. Cantio Laudis: Olli Heikkilä (Conductor), Aino Puroila, Alisa Tervaniemi, Anna Joensuu, Emma Raappana, Henna Pärkkä, Helena Savolainen, Johanna Jaakkola, Katrina Jämsä, Lotta Heikkilä, Lotta Sippola, Meira Maaninka, Mette Hintsala, Pirta Pentikäinen, Saara Kolehmainen, Sanna Hautala, Sanni Myllyneva, Venla Katajala. Tuiran Chamber Choir: Satu Korpi (Conductor), Anu Kalliopuska, Pirio-Ritta Silven, Ella Suvanto, Vuokko Annala, Ulla Savolainen, Maarit Nurmela, Paivi-Ilona Airisniemi, Kaisa-Mari Paananen, Marjo Okkonen, Harriet Tervonen, Jonna Pienihäkkinen, Tula Kleemola-Laakso, Terttu Kortelainen, Juhani Miettunen, Antti Auer, Jyrki Okkonen, Jorma Pulkkinen, Antti Perttunen / Oulu Art Museum Team: Responsibility Museum Researcher: Tuija Visuri / Exhibition Builders: Mika Siekkinen /
Work supported by: Taike, The Regional Fund of Northern Ostrobothnia /
Special thanks: Aark Residency, Hilla Väyrynen ♡

“The Song of Time – A Sound Bath for Six” is a work that will travel for two years through care homes in Kainuu and Northern Ostrobothnia. The loan period is about two weeks, and it is free of charge for residents of these municipalities and wellbeing regions. Transport is arranged by Oulu Art Museum. The borrower is responsible for the installation, storage, and security of the work during the loan period. The piece can also be loaned elsewhere in Finland free of charge. Contact: Tuija Visuri, Oulu Art Museum.

“The Song of Time” follows on from the OWLA piece, which is on display at Oulu Art Museum. This unique sound bath offers an unforgettable experience for six people at a time. In The Song of Time, you can enjoy the enchanting soundscape of the Owla piece, performed by three different choirs. In addition, beautiful poems are recited to further deepen and enrich the experience.

The work also provides the opportunity for body relaxation, with Eeva-Maija Haukinen reading relaxation texts. This section offers a chance to unwind, rest, and refresh both body and mind.

The Song of Time can be experienced alone or together with others. It provides an opportunity to pause for a moment amidst the busyness of daily life and immerse yourself in captivating music and poetry. It offers an excellent chance to momentarily escape everyday stress and to give time and space for calm and the enjoyment of art.

In practice, the work is a coffee table whose surface is shaped to resemble tree rings. Six headphones extend from the table, and in the center, there is a large red button. When the button is pressed, the computer randomly selects individual singers from the choir’s polyphonic whole. The chosen singer’s voice is heard for 20 seconds, after which the rest of the 20-member choir resumes in unison. Each listening session is different. Depending on the listener, the duration can be 10–35 minutes.

The work reflects on our belonging to something greater than ourselves—in this case, time, kindness, and community. Over 60 people participated in the creation of the piece, including choir singers, conductors, the composer, the Oulu Art Museum’s team, and artisan student Venla Kitti, who built the visible table. The work was commissioned by Oulu Art Museum, which also organizes its transport to care homes in Kainuu and Northern Ostrobothnia during 2023–2025.

I was very fortunate to work with the iconic performer and long-standing artist Eeva-Maija Haukinen. What made our collaboration especially meaningful was that we both come from the same region, Northern Ostrobothnia. We both know the small villages—Pading, Mönkö, Välikylä, Haikara, and Ypyä. In addition, we are both familiar with the rare “körtti” tradition of spiritual singing and storytelling, which fed directly into our work. Our shared roots enabled a seamless and focused collaboration, one that sought an emotional intelligence that would resonate especially with the people of Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu.

Eeva-Maija Haukinen is a well-known and significant performer for Finns, graduating from the Theatre Academy in 1967. She has held engagements at several city theatres, including those in Kuopio, Hämeenlinna, and Oulu. Haukinen has also had a long career at the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) as an actress in both TV Theatre and Radio Theatre. Her versatile acting has encompassed theatre, film, and television, and she has received numerous accolades, such as the Jussi Award and the Golden Nymph of Monte Carlo. Haukinen has made a strong impression in roles ranging from classical tragedies to tragicomic folk characters, and her versatility has made her a highly respected artist in the Finnish art scene.