Category Archives: Design

reading, writing, thinking, reflecting

Uuuh, I’ve been reading books and articles related to my studies all day. I have no idea how I’m going to pass all the exams, write articles and research plans related not only to my studies but also my work. Well, one thing at a time but I do feel a bit helpless at the moment. But I am excited like a little child about everything! It’s such a privilege to be able to study, develop my thinking and challenge myself and my thoughts. I love it.

And I’m so exited about my upcoming working period in London and a performance in Amsterdam! My weeks are extremely full but it’s so exciting to be giving talks, performing, writing, working on a new project and of course studying that I’m positive that I will somehow survive the upcoming intense months. We’ll see.

Today I finally managed to squeeze in a Zumba class at the Functional Studios and a bike ride there and back. Oh it was so good and soooo needed.

I’m so happy about my new sister Maija being part of my chosen family. At least one person to remember my birthday! Well, at this age birthdays are not very important events and it takes at least five minutes to calculate my age, but it’s still nice if someone remembers it. Well, my dad called me in the evening and I did get a card from my grandparents so I can’t complain. To treat myself, I bought a limited edition bottle of Codorníu Gran Plus Ultra and it’s amazing! If you can get hold of any, get as many bottles as you can – if you love cava as much as I do! What a treat. It’s a great wine.


Yesterday I went to town with my daughter and I had to go and try this I’m your queen dress on which a saw a couple of days ago. And when I put it on, there was no way I could leave it in the shop. It fitted just perfectly for me and I know I will wear it a lot. So since no-one else is treating me, I have to do it myself (sounds a bit perv but you know what I mean…)! Anyway, Nanso’s autumn collection is very nice so go and have a look at their collection. The best collection is of course in Helsinki in their shop on Mikonkatu but Kuopio’s Sokos has a surprisingly good selection at the moment. It’s about time…

I also saw two dance performances yesterday which made me really happy somehow. It was great to see my old time collaborator Jukka Ristolainen to perform and I’ve been enjoying getting to know Terhi Kuokkanen more as a performer, too. She is young, but gorgeous.

Hope you’ll have a great week!

Johanna

 

 

 

Valkyrian in Kuopio!

Today I was wondering in the city centre of Kuopio as my daughter was in her ice-skating class (can you say that? Should it be lesson? Or maybe session? Anyway, you know what I mean!). The kids need new clothes & shoes for the winter so I thought I’d have a look if I can find shoes for my daughter. Well, I didn’t. But I did find a few nice pairs for myself (didn’t buy anything) and discovered that Nina in Kuopio sells now Valkyrian Design! This is great and quite a surprise. Kuopio is really not the most interesting place to shop and the selection in most of the stores is lousy. I know this one boutique in Helsinki that sells Valkyrian so I was very positively surprised to see a few items in Nina. They only had a few things but I told them how great it is that they doing it. Lotta Mönkäre, the designer, is young and very interesting. She also lives in the Eastern Finland in Joensuu which I also think is great. So all of you, go and have a look at her gorgeous gothic inspired collections!

Johanna

pics & clips

Here are a few pictures from last week. Unfortunately, not from the Visio show – not yet anyway. But here are two short clips of Antti Rissanen, a very talented bmx cyclist who performed in the show last night. My clips are not from the most amazing tricks he performed but you get the idea…

I think I’ve told that my daughter takes her ice-skating quite seriously. After the ice, they have a training session ‘on the ground’ where they practice the jumps and slides etc. without the skates. I followed a little bit of it… and she is pretty good. You’ll figure out who she is…
And once again, getting back to my love for design and architecture (I should have been an architect, remember!). In Kuopio’s Saaristokaupunki, where I also live, a lot of houses are constantly built. Most of them look so horrible, disgusting and boring that I don’t want to spend a minute writing about them. Well now, people who bought these very very expensive pieces of land directly by the lake in the island of Käränkä, have started to build their houses. Some of them look kind of interesting or at least decent, but this one… I mean, who spends hundreads of thousand of euros on the piece of land and then decides to build this????
No offence, but in the first place I would like to ask the city of Kuopio why on earth they give permission to build something like this on a such an amazing and visible spot? I mean… What’s going on? I do not understand the builders either but what can you do if you don’t have any sense of contemporary style or design or architecture? And what is the responsibility of Kannustalo, the company who’s made the house? The whole Saaristokaupunki is damaged by this company and their terribly old fashioned traditional houses which I just hate! In the worst case, you can see 5 exactly same houses from their catalogue on one street. I mean, it’s just disgusting! It’s exactly this kind of building that makes me vomit and I’m not sure how long I want to live in Saaristokaupunki if it’s this kind of environment that I have to look at every bloody day.

Johanna

Kuopio, a lively city?

What an intensive week I had. Spent a day in Jyväskylä and another one in Helsinki. Had a lot of thoughts about cultural policy, arts funding and arts management. In Helsinki I saw a performance by a graduating MA student – a very highly educated dancer entering into this insecure, unstable, problematic and debated field and business. Maybe it’s because I’m evaluating her final work that I’m somehow very conscious of all these rather negative issues in our field. And I’m not sure what I think about it. Part of me of course wants to encourage her and everyone and a part of me is really sad because it will be hard. On the other hand, it might not be hard for her at all and what is hard for each person varies so much anyway…

I gave a talk about ANTI in a seminar on Wednesday and it was kind of inspiring to hear and learn about other festivals and events in the city of Kuopio. The city is finally making or renewing its marketing strategy and festivals and events are of course a big part of the brand and image of the city. And if Kuopio wants to be a lively city, I think ANTI is doing the best job in the cultural sector.

So I was in Helsinki on Friday and realized that I wasn’t at all interested in going to the Habitare fair. This is a bit strange as I’m usually very interested in design. I’m not even sure when it was that I last visited Habitare (maybe last year?) but it was a bit of a disappointment so this year I didn’t really even consider it. But my desires were fulfilled last night in the 20th anniversary birthday party of Visio which was an inspiring event combining style, fashion, design and gourmet. I was so happy to participate and very, very proud of Kari and Sari. The venue was great, the old VR-makasiini factory building, which could be this amazing venue for all kinds of events, parties and performances in Kuopio but is hardly ever used. I know they had a lot of problems to get all the necessary permissions to organize this event there but I’m so proud they did and I really hope more people would start doing the same. Kuopio needs something like that! And Kuopio wouldn’t be the same without Visio = Kari & Sari. Think about this: these two very inspirational people who didn’t have to do anything wanted to organize this event which included a fantastic hair/fashion show, very well designed and organized venue with music, lights, BMX performer, lots of sparkling wine and gourmet deserts. And they invited about 500 people to enjoy all this for free! All I can say is thank you. And I love you!
With Kari & Sari

And I got to wear my golden Finsk shoes! Lovely.

We took a lot of pictures from the show…hopefully I’ll get to post a few later.

Johanna

Busy weeks getting back to business!

Last week was so great as Gregg was visiting Kuopio, we worked long, intense days, had meetings and then spent a couple of days in Helsinki doing the same with our ANTI team – myself, Gregg and Laura. Hard work but inspiring! I like it. We also saw some performances in Kuopio and Helsinki. With Gregg we have a pattern of seeing the most horrible performances together in Finland…and this time it was sort of like that again. We saw one very terrible work and another one which wasn’t bad but just so not what we are interested in in Art. Anyway, it was good to see them as they brought up a lot of thoughts about art in society, the kind of audiences that we are trying to reach thru our work etc etc. But I was very lucky to see a really great performance Talk to me with Laura on Saturday night in Pannuhalli. I was so happy, so inspired intellectually and artistically, it really returned by faith in contemporary performance. And that is great.

We also ate some great sushi in Zen Sushi and amazing thai food in MaiThai. Yammy.

On Saturday afternoon I had a meeting with Satu in Minna Parikka’s boutique in Bulevardi and we tried practically every pair of shoes in the shop! Great fun. Unfortunately, the A/W collection wasn’t out yet so I had to settle into a pair of Acacias which were on sale, -50%. So that was a bargain. We also checked out Nanso and Marimekko…and sinned. Terrible!

On Sunday I finally got to meet my friend Maija and her newborn daughter. She was so beautiful, they both were! Hope I get to meet them soon again.

This week flew by so quickly as we have been working on the final corrections of the ANTIVERSARY book, written several grant applications etc. On Friday I finally got my hands on with ANTI Festival’s financial report of A Space for Live Art 2010… It will be so much work…and it always takes forever! Well, I do get some strange pleasure from Excel…

I’ve had a pretty nice training rhythm doing Kinesis, Pilates and Functional training and warming up Acts of Clothing. It was funny – yesterday I met a woman in Functional studios who asked after our functional training class that why do I look so familiar… Well, it turned out that she had seen my Acts of Clothing a year ago in Helsinki in the Ateneum theatre – and had liked it a lot. Small world.

Tonight is the time for some fun as we are going to see Jukka Poika, Raappana and Sound Explosion Band in Puikkari. See you there!

Johanna

 

 

Can’t believe it’s already the end of August!

I haven’t had a proper summer holiday for a few years so this summer it was such a luxury not having to work very much. Of course as an artist I’m always somehow working on upcoming projects and preparing new works, but I didn’t work in terms of waking up early in the morning, sitting in the office, rehearsing or warming up shows nor performing. It was pretty nice. I didn’t do anything special really – slept, cooked, exercised, wrote, thought…but what was pretty special for me, was that I had time & peace to read. Meaning anything; novels, newspapers, short stories. I really really love reading and drowning myself in the thoughts of a writer, but unfortunately this is something I find hard to find time & space to do in my normal everyday. I think I should change that – so much I enjoy reading. This summer I read some books I should have read years ago (like Mereta Mazzarella and Kari Hotakainen) and some new discoveries like Siri Hustvedt (how amazing? And how amazing that I haven’t read her books before?). Unfortunately, I didn’t have money to travel anywhere or to do anything special, but maybe that was good. Not to do too much. Less is more.

So when last weekend when we went to our friends’ house warming party 150km away, I felt like I was abroad! The sun was shining, there were good friends around, we ate amazing foods, drank a lot of wine and got to spend a night in a house designed by Alvar Aalto! I really need to make sure I have time to see my friends and spend proper time with them. I love them. The house warming party was pretty special as the couple whose house warming party it was, announced that they had gotten married last December. So there were a lot of tears of joy and happiness! We ended up talking a lot about marriage as another friend couple has also decided to get married. And I was trying to explain why I don’t understand this institute. I just don’t. I’m not against it but I don’t get it. So everyone kept saying that it’s only us who’s left to organize a love parade…but somehow I don’t see it happening.

Of course I’ve gone back to work and the autumn looks pretty…busy. I’m not sure how I will manage everything when the daylight is getting less and less, it’s getting darker and colder and one has to get up insanely early every f*king morning. But of course, there are amazingly exciting things coming up as well! It’s time for the 10th ANTI Festival, I’m performing in Tanssin Aika Festival in Jyväskylä and in the city theatre of Kuopio, I have talks and lectures in Joensuu, Helsinki, Kuopio, we are preparing UP TO NATURE EU funded project for 2012, I have a work period in London etc etc. It’s all very very exciting but at the same time feels like it’s a lot. And besides that I have my basic training to do. I’ve also registered our lovely Yorkshire terrier Pimu to a puppy training…  By the way, Pimu was voted for the pet of the week in July, see link here!

Autumn is the time to pull out warmer clothes from the wardrobe, get inspired by new colours, trends, prints, textures… I’ve sold two pairs of Minna Parikka shoes and had a stall in a second hand shop in Kuopio for a week where I sold clothes, shoes and all kinds of little items like plates, puzzles, games and bags. Maybe it’s time for something…new? I think this pair of Minna Parikka’s A/W 2011 shoes with the snake from ‘Women are dangerous animals collection’ is pretty awesome. Don’t you?

Highlight of the summer was a long weekend we spent on our friends boat Gerda boating. The weather was great, the kids were great, Pimu was behaving well and we had enough food & drinks! On board were the hosts Vilja & Jari (THANX SO MUCH!!!), Zulani, Justiina & Pimu and Pekka & me. A selection of photos here:


The gorgeous Gerda:

















Looking forward to more active blogging period!

Johanna

cycling

I don’t know if you remember that I bought a new bike in the spring. I’m slowly getting gears in order to be able to do longer cycling exercises and to be able to cycle in different weather conditions. The Ortlieb back panniers have been great and very useful. Yesterday I bought these padded undies (amazing pink padding!) by Craft (on sale) which hopefully will help me to do longer rides. I also found Yoko wind stopper jacket on sale and just had to buy that -remembering the rather chilly rides in the winter and early spring. I still don’t have cycling shoes, I guess that’s the next thing I need.



My financial situation is a bit fucked up at the moment so yesterday I reserved a table at a local flea market where I will sell clothes, magazines and some cookware in August. I will let you know when my stall is up! I’m also planning to sell some clothes and shoes at huuto.net – will post a link when the stuff is available. There will be some Minna Parikka shoes, Lustwear clothes etc. Good stuff!

It’s a pretty hot day in Kuopio and I guess I’m heading off to the beach for a swim now…

Johanna

the most stylish person in Kuopio?

Kuopion Kaupunkilehti is looking for the most stylish person in Kuopio! You can vote until noon on the 27th of May by email kuopio.toimitus@kaupunkilehti.fi or by visiting certain shops in Kuopio. Remember to explain why the person you vote is the most stylish one and leave your contact details – you might win something.

Do you think there are stylish people in Kuopio?

Johanna

Weekend trip to Copenhagen

About four months ago I decided with my friend Maija that we will take an extended weekend holiday away from home, work and family. I had a small amount of award points to use for my flight so Copenhagen became our destination. And we both love Copenhagen! I think I was there in 2008 for the last time and Maija has also visited the city many times.

So what is so great about Copenhagen? The atmosphere is relaxed, people seem happy, mellow and content. They seem to have time to enjoy slow brunches, they cycle everywhere, everyone speaks English, you see a lot of families and fathers pushing prams and after their Sunday morning runs, the Danes go and buy fresh bread, buns and croissants in their local bakeries. The climate is a bit warmer than in Finland and it was great to get a taste of the spring! The life has spread more out into the streets with cafes, shops, bars and picnics. Copenhagen is compact, clean and easy to navigate, Danish design is present almost everywhere and the Kastrup airport is possibly the best in the world.

So if you love to hang out in cafes, enjoy gorgeous brunches, are a lover of design and like the feeling of cities like Amsterdam and Berlin, Copenhagen is the best destination. The only downfall is that Copenhagen is one of the most expensive cities in the world and everything is more expensive than in Finland.

And of course I was so delighted to be travelling with Maija and we had a great time! Maija had brought the latest Mondo with its tips for best brunches in Copenhagen and we had two wonderful brunches. On the first morning we went to Kalaset and on the second to Café Sokkelund, which was selected the “Byens Bedste Brunch” in 2010. I really enjoyed both of them but maybe Kalaset a bit more. On our last morning we wanted to have a breakfast in Granola but it wasn’t open yet and instead we had a great coffee and sandwich in a local neighborhood bakery. On Saturday evening we had cosy dinner in Atlas Bar where I really enjoyed the lively and bubbly energy.

Maija in Kalaset:



Brunch in Cafe Sokkelund:



We walked a lot in Norrebro, Vesterbro and Frederiksberg, Nyhavn and Latinerkvarteret and did some shopping as well. Maija bought a luxurious Aspekts handmade leather bag and I finally got a pair of Swedish Hasbeens sandals… I know we were in Denmark but Swedish Hasbeens are not easy to find in Finland! But I also got a Danish coctail dress by Bitte Kai Rand…

A walk arour Norrebro:







On Istedgade:

Illums Bolighus:



Maybe the most comfortable armchair in the world? With the Paul Smith cover the price was over 6 000 €.


Maija with her gorgeous Aspekts leather bag:

Magasin du Nord:



Frederiksberg Have:


Sunday morning mist in Vesterbrostorv:

And finally, my Hasbeens!

In all the trip was a very needed little brake. Now back in business with new energy!

Johanna