New Genre Arctic Art and Art Education Exhibition : Angle of Approach (Northern forest relations), 2024

This work studies northern forest relations through artistic practice. The video presents a performance made in a particular spot in a local forest called Ounasvaara, Rovaniemi, which is under a threat of being demolished for tourism housing purposes. The forest has a very central location and is historically important for the locals. The flmed performance experiments the possible stiff and unnatural connections to the forest. On one hand there’s the love for nature and its calming qualities, but on the other hand I cover myself with protective gear and spray to avoid the mosquitoes, horsefies, wasps, ticks etc. The edited performance video is projected onto a canvas made of hand paper towel rolls which presents a level of vanity and luxury. In Finland, we have ongoing debates and demonstrations over forest cuttings. Much of the wood goes into paper production and further to the kitchens and toilets here and abroad.