M_itä Biennial, Joensuu Art Museum · 2023 · Part II of the Border Series · Suomeksi
After ON THE BORDER, I returned to Narva to record without the urgency that had shaped the first work. Young singers and their teacher worked with a framework for improvisation. I asked each singer why singing mattered to them.
In Joensuu, voices, fragments of interviews and sung material moved through the museum in Finnish, Russian, Estonian and English. The installation had no single beginning or listening position. A visitor could remain with one voice or follow the changing field through the building.
RETURNING TO NARVA
The singers could perform with great precision. When I invited free improvisation, one replied that they could do it if I gave them the sheet music. The work contains three improvised takes based on Jussi Mattila’s material. Within that framework, the singers could make their own choices together with others.
DOCUMENTATION
CREDITS
Sound artist and convener: Jaakko Autio
Musical material and choir direction: Jussi Mattila
Narva Music School, Yakub-bend-A: Alissa Milovidova, Valentina Starodubtseva, Evelina Koop, Kristel Treinbuk, Sille Reinsalu, Marija Eroshkina
Teacher: Alla Yakubova
Nomad Vocals: Tatu Huotarinen, Emma Jämsén, Kaisa Karhunen, Juulia Karppi, Vilppu Kekkonen, Lasse Kettunen, Eero Lahtinen, Tiina Leskinen, Emma Pitkänen, Joona Rytkönen, Jaakko Örmälä, Kasper Omenasaari
Installation setup: Daniel Rodriguez, Mikko Santaniemi, Lauri Niemelä, Anssi Jukarainen
Commissioned by M_itä Biennial, Joensuu Art Museum
Curator: Giovanna Esposito Yussif
Supported by the Kimmo Kaivanto Foundation and Taike
