Category Archives: Art

Meetings

It’s always so hard to write about an unfinished work. What to say, what to leave out, how much to define or contextualize? This time, in a way I feel that the title itself says it all. On the other hand, it would be somehow relevant to state the slight aspect of retrospective, the moment of looking back at the body of work created. Anyway, I’m late will texts concerning the OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE but at least some things are moving on as they should.

I’ve been a couple of days in Helsinki, having meetings concerning the ANTI Festival. Gregg was there and with him and the chair of our board Vilja, we interviewed a few producer candidates. I think we found the one. With Gregg we also went to see Nälkäteatteri’s Odradek performance in the Kiasma theatre. That was really a peculiar experience. I didn’t hate the work but found it really hard to connect to. Today we’ve just been talking a lot about the program, call out and schedules. With the new producer I think we can work out the workload so that we’ll be really able focus on the program and the artists. And that feels good.

Before catching my train back to Kuopio, I had a couple of hours to wonder around in Helsinki. These days that’s a rare occasion. I found it really strange that every time I’m in Helsinki, I seem to spot or somehow bump into well-known people or celebrities. Maybe it feels strange because we don’t really have them in Kuopio or is it just that see things differently when I’m travelling? Well, this time I spotted politician Paavo Arhinmäki, director of the Swedish theatre Johan Storgård, performance artist Irma Optimist and bumped into top stylist Minttu Vesala with whom I went to high school! I think the last time I’ve seen Minttu was something like 15 years ago and it was so nice to see her. She said I look exactly the same –as did she; she’s still as tall and slim as she used to be and she somehow makes me always feel funny about my shortness and rounder body. Anyway, she’s the purchasing agent for Helsinki 10, this designer shop, and as I fell in love with the one and only Minna Parikka bag they had in the store, she gave me a discount of it and I just had to buy it. So that shall be my Christmas present and I shall not buy anything for myself. Ever. Not this year anyway.
But the bag is gorgeous and it looks like I’ve always had it. Good design simply makes me happy.

Johanna

You want to see this: HUIPPUSUORITUS – OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE

This is what I’ve been busy with lately, and will be until mid January! Here are a few images of my upcoming work titled HUIPPUSUORITUS – OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE.

HUIPPUSUORITUS 1

HUIPPUSUORITUS 2

HUIPPUSUORITUS 3

HUIPPUSUORITUS 4

HUIPPUSUORITUS 5

HUIPPUSUORITUS 6

Concept & choreography: Johanna Tuukkanen
Performance: Sami Henrik Haapala, Vaatu Kalajoki, Johanna Tuukkanen
Photographs: Pekka Mäkinen
Premiere: January 8th 2009 in Sotku, Kuopio, Finland

working & photo shooting

Had a great photo shoot with Vaatu, Sami Henrik and Pekka today. I’ve now worked 5 days with Vaatu & Sami and maybe some things are finding their shape now. Los of questions though, lots of possibilities and directions. I’ll see where it takes me this time. I’ll post some photos as soon as I get some from Pekka.
I’m off to Outokumpu tomorrow, have to get up really early to catch a bus.
I should have gone to gym or functional training yesterday but had a meeting. And today the shoot took all day and after that I was pretty exhausted. I’m a bad trainee. I’ll see how I am tomorrow after I come back from Outokumpu.
I ordered two sport bras from Boobydoo and they arrived yesterday. Can’t waite to test the bras!

Johanna

about what’s going on

Next week I’ll start working with Vaatu & Sami Henrik on my new work. Exciting! Lately I’ve been working on my archives, gathering & collecting texts and writings, digitalizing old vhs video tapes and forcing myself to look at the work I’ve done over the past 10 years. Huh! It’s a lot. The upcoming work requires quite specific physical strength and ability from my behalf and I’m collaborating with personal trainer Riikka Valve of the Functional Team in order to be physically able to do what I’ve set myself out to do. So Riikka has created a new exercise programme for me which includes functional training, running, walking and Pilates. I’m also super excited about the Polar RS200 heart rate monitor which doesn’t only measure the pulse and sport zones but also the distance I’ve run and the speed… Inspiring!
Last week the Saaristokatu opened in Kuopio. I’ve run a lot around the area as I live nearby and the opening of the Saaristokatu made me feel so happy and proud of where I live and Kuopio in general. It’s just really beautiful and also shortens the distance to the city centre substantially. Makes life so much easier.
What else? I’m going to give an artist talk in Outokumpu in couple of weeks and perform soft skin / harsh life in Joensuu as part of the Lonely in the Rain? –festival. After that I’m going to a Space for Live Art meeting in Madrid…
By the way, ANTI Festival is seeking to appoint a full time, permanent Senior Producer. So if you are a super producer or know one, please let them know about the post.

Hope you are well.

Johanna

About the upcoming work

From the audition I held some weeks ago, I have selected Sami Henrik Haapala and Vaatu Kalajoki to be the performers of my new work. I really look forward to working with them.
Last week I had production meetings concerning the work and things are moving on quite smoothly. The budget is more or less confirmed as I didn’t get any support from Wihuri foundation. This is means the budget is very very tight but I just  have to deal with that now. The premiere is on January 8th 2009 and we start rehearsing with Sami Henrik and Vaatu in couple of weeks.

Johanna

the latest column …in Finnish

Varokaa kosmetiikkaa!

Muutama viikko sitten istuin Kuopion lentokentällä lähes täydessä koneessa valmiina nousuun, kun koneeseen nousi lentokenttävirkailija, käveli paikalleni ja pyysi tulemaan mukaansa kertoen, että matkatavaroissani on jotain mitä ei saisi olla. Aavistin, mistä on kysymys, sillä olin menossa keikalle, ja matkatavaroistani toinen oli täynnä esitykseen kuuluvaa rekvisiittaa: tyhjiä kosmetiikkapurkkeja ja –pakkauksia. Siis pakkauksia, joissa oli ollut esimerkiksi kosteusvoidetta, kasvovettä, ja huulirasvaa. Nyt tämä laukku oli levällään lentokenttävirkailijoiden edessä, jotka sanoivat, että näitä vaarallisia aineita saa olla mukana korkeintaan 2 kiloa. Selitin, että purkit ovat tyhjiä, niissä ei ole mitään aineita, olen itse käyttänyt ne viimeiseen pisaraan asti, olen taiteilija ja purkit ovat teokseni rekvisiittaa. Ei auttanut. Virkailijat olivat puhelinyhteydessä koneen kapteeniin kysyen: ”Matkustajalla ruumaan menevissä matkatavaroissa vaarallisia aineita 8 kiloa ylimääräistä. Otetaanko kyytiin?” Kapteeni vastasi kieltävästi.
Katsotaanpa mitä Ilmailuhallinto sanoo nesteiden kuljettamisesta ja vaarallisista aineista: ”Ruumaan menevissä matkatavaroissa saa kuljettaa kosmeettisia aineita ja aerosoleja, jos ne ovat palamattomia, myrkyttömiä ja syövyttämättömiä -…-ja aineiden yhteismäärä on enintään 2 kg tai 2 litraa.” Siis aineiden yhteismäärä. Minun tyhjissä purkeissani ei varmasti ollut 2 kg aineita, vaikka jäämiä olisi alettu suurennuslasin kanssa tutkimaan. Entä vaaralliset aineet? Niitä ovat 1. räjähteet (kuten dynamiitti), 2. kaasut (kuten butaani), 3. palavat nesteet (kuten bensiini), 4. helposti syttyvät kiinteät ja itsestään syttyvät aineet (kuten valkoinen fosfori), 5. sytyttävästi vaikuttavat aineet ja orgaaniset peroksidit (kuten ammoniumnitraattilannoitteet), 6. myrkylliset ja tartuntavaaralliset aineet (kuten arsenikki), 7. radioaktiiviset aineet (kuten koboltti-60), 8. syövyttävät aineet (kuten akkuhapot) sekä 9. muut vaaralliset aineet ja esineet (kuten asbesti).
Täytyy sanoa, että en ole koskaan kuvitellut että tyhjät kosmetiikkapurkit voivat olla edellisten esimerkkien lailla vaarallisia.
No, sain keikan tehtyä. Kerroin yleisölle tämän tarinan ja käytin toisessa matkalaukussani sekä käsimatkatavaroissani mukana olleita täysiä kosmetiikkapurkkeja. Vai pitäisikö sanoa salakuljettamiani purkkeja, sillä niiden yhteismäärä oli yli 2 litraa.

Johanna Tuukkanen

Etsin esiintyjiä uuteen ryhmäteokseeni

Pidän auditionin torstaina 18.9.2008 klo 10 – 15 Sotkulla Kuopiossa. Tilaisuudessa valitaan 2-3 esiintyjää uuteen teokseeni Kohtauksia 979899000102030405060708. Teoksen harjoitusjakso ajoittuu marras-joulukuuhun 2008. Harjoitukset pidetään Kuopiossa. Teoksen ensi-ilta on 8.1.2009 ja muut esitykset 9.-14.1.2009 Sotkulla.

Audition on suunnattu ammattiesiintyjille, jotka työskentelevät tanssitaiteen, live artin ja/tai esitystaiteen konteksteissa. Pakollinen ennakkoilmoittautuminen + cv osoitteeseen johanna(at)tuukkanen.net keskiviikkoon 17.9. mennessä.

Lisätiedot:
Johanna Tuukkanen
Puh. 040 7429091
johanna@tuukkanen.net
www.tuukkanen.net

Busy days

A quiet moment at home, alone. A rare occasion. Somehow I’ve managed through this week although I’ve been a bit overwhelmed by all the work I’m involved in. All is going well, but let’s just say it’s a lot. I’ve also had a bit of a flue and I think that’s why I haven’t felt completely ok.
I will hold an audition for my new piece on Thursday the 18th and I should write a press release about that. But for those who are interested, mark it in your calendar. By the way, in the new issue of Finnish dance magazine titled TANSSI-lehti was a great review of my latest works soft skin / harsh life & Festive work. The ladies of the Festive work also made it to the cover of the magazine! The photographer was Pekka Mäkinen, of course.
I’m going to see the premiere of Chicago musical in Kuopio city theatre tomorrow night. I’m kind of looking forward to it although I must say I’m not a big fan of musicals, in general. But you never know, I might be surprised! I have a new skirt that I’m going to wear with my Minna Parikka Morticia shoes. Maybe I’m looking forward to that more that the musical itself? Could be.
The ANTI Festival brochure is out so make sure you get one if you are planning to attend the best contemporary art festival in Finland. There are some works that need signing up so be prepared for that. The whole programme is also online www.antifestival.com.
Next week I’m heading off to London for a few days which I’m really looking forward to. But more about that another time.

Have a restful weekend!

Johanna

Confessions

Embarrassingly infrequent blog posts sent on my behalf lately. Sorry.
I have been extremely busy preparing for my new piece, urgently sorting out ANTI Festival’s business as our 5-year long EU project ‘A Space for Live Art’ has finally been accepted by the European Commission and being on the move i.e. in Copenhagen, which was great by the way. I’ve also noticed that I’m really liking updating my Twitter at the moment, not so much the blog itself. Strange. I guess I should also confess that I have another blog in Finnish that I’m updating every day. Why is this? One thing I’ve realized is that I’m a bit careful what to write here because I write this under my own name. In the other blog, I haven’t revealed my identity and therefore can be a bit more honest about certain thoughts and things that are going on in my life. But this is not the main issue, I think. In the other blog, I have gotten a lot of blog friends and received many comments daily and that is kind of inspiring and just nice. Although this blog and site has quite a few visitors, there aren’t that many people commenting. Maybe comments and blog friends are addictive…
Last week a friend turned 30. What a nice party we had, and emotional! I cannot remember when I last cried in a party because people where really opening their hearts and being straightforward. But I also cried because I realized I’m very anxious, sad and worried. Maybe you Finnish artists know why… We also had a great party on Saturday; great food, wine and friends. Lovely.
Next week I’m off to London which I’m so much looking forward to. More about that later. First I have to get rid of this flue that is bothering me and the kids.

Hope to read your comments. Whatever they are!

Johanna

Copenhagen & PSI

I’m off to Copenhagen tomorrow morning. I’m performing at the PSI # 14 conference on Friday and on Saturday we have a panel about the ANTI Festival. Hope to see you all there!
Lately things have just been crazy with work –my own and with ANTI Festival. Couple of days ago I was in town getting things I need for my performance and needed to buy a shimmering body lotion from the Body Shop. Well, this is not the season for their strong smelling shimmering body lotions and I was getting really worried in the shop as I need the lotion in the performance. Then the owner asked if I need the lotion for a performance (she must have recognized me) and I said YES! Then she went through the storage and found a tester of shimmering body lotion smelling of cinnamon -from the last season. Great! She gave it to me for free and I was so happy. Not just because I got for free but because she saved the show! So thank you so much, the lady in the Body Shop of Kuopio.
My trip to Copenhagen is supported by the city of Kuopio, so thank you Pekka Vähäkangas & Hanna-Mari Kokkonen for that.

Johanna