A sharing, a demo, a discussion, an outcome – residency period of Niko Wearden, Vilma Mankonen, Joma Richter and Mathilda Muk for UA Miniresidencies culminates in a public event in Museum of Impossible Forms where the group shares some of their process and work. Free admission!
The group has been working on odotushuone, a performance and artistic research project that explores the relationships between technology and waiting. During their residency, the group has focused in following questions: how does technology inform how, why, when and if we wait? How might we use/hack/steal the technologies of our everyday lives to arrive/assemble/wait together, towards a collectively more breathable life? The project focuses on the group members arrival to, and emergence from, a rehearsal studio – a space that manifests amongst technologies of performance and dance. Group members have been using The Museum of Impossible Forms as a rehearsal studio, working towards a small demo performance-installation.
“we assemble our bodies, tasks, objects, experiments, actions, processes, rehearsals and absences together to wait/expect into, through and against the technology of the rehearsal studio (and us).”
During the publich sharing, the group offers an installation space, activated by a performance/waiting score. You can wait with them for as long or as short time as you desire. There will be things to look at, to watch, to read, to listen to, to touch, to feel and snacks and drinks to eat whilst you wait. Please wait in the space in a way that makes sense for your bodymind.
The following provocations are offered towards experiencing the work:
- How should we wait here?
- How long should we wait here?
- What are we here waiting for?
- What happens whilst we wait here?
- What if we waited here forever?
When: 18 January 2025 at 16:00-18:00
Where: Museum of Impossible Forms (Aallonhalkoja 9 L1)
Language: English/Finnish
Vilma Mankonen — they/them (b. 1989) is a helsinki based dance artist who is endlessly fascinated by how different environments, spaces and faces organise and move bodies. in their dance and performance practice, Vilma investigates the body by directing their attention towards leaky waters of carefully constructed selves, habits, expectations and senses of control. at the moment Vilma is recovering and figuring out joyous ways of dancing with this very waiting body.
niko wearden – he/they (b.1994) is a british performance artist who lives in helsinki now. at the moment, they have a practice of mostly refusing to talk about their practice. niko tends to their body in water, lying on the floor, ecological grief and waiting with his kin. he doesn’t want to wait alone anymore.
Joma Richter — they/ she (b. 1994) is a transdisciplinary artist, rooted in performance and visual art practices. through their education and personal interests, their artistic practices have been constantly oscillating between fine art, handwork and performance. in 2021 they gave birth to a child, which changed their circumstances completely and affected their art making. questions of care and the distribution of time as a determinant of social justice are matters occupying and involving them right now. they are accommodating into waiting, while resisting to wait.
Mathilda Muk — she/her (b. 1995) is a helsinki based dancer, performer, dance teacher (BA) and dance artist. Mathilda considers herself as multipassionate and has varying interest towards different disciplines and practices in the field of art. at the moment Mathilda is especially interested in viewing (tarkastella) ways of working. viewing creative processes from the lens of more sustainable to honour the waiting, lateness and absence. learning, unlearning and relearning are also some of the keywords that have stayed with her for a longer period of time.
Accessibility
Our installation includes texts, images, objects, video and sound and live performance actions. There will be some chairs, stools and beanbags available. You are welcome to move around in the space, engage in conversations, or make other noise during the performance. You are free to enter or leave at any time. We encourage visitors not to wear strong perfumes.
Our performance involves plastic bags filled with water, so please be aware there may be some dripping, and therefore a small amount of water on the floor so please take care whilst moving around.
During the performance, the lights will be turned on and off so the space will be quite dark at times. No flashing lights. Video material will not include flashing images. Sound elements may occasionally begin unexpectedly, but no very loud or startling noises.
All text that is spoken during the performance will be available to read in the space but unfortunately live captioning is not available. we do not have a hearing loop. If you require audio description please be in touch in advance and we will do our best to provide you with non-professional descriptions.
Museum of Impossible forms is 900m (10min walk) from Kalasatama Metro Station in the direction of Sompasaari. The nearest bus stop serves line no. 52 from Redi Itäväylä and leaves you 80m from the door. The space is at ground level. It is free from accessibility thresholds, and has an accessible toilet.
Snacks and drinks will be vegan, gluten free and we will aim to consider all major allergens.
Please feel free to be in touch if you have access related questions or concerns. A member of UrbanApa’s team will be available to greet you, and you are also welcome to speak to them during the event if you need access support and they will do their best to assist you.