From and Towards Basic Elements

What is the relationship we have to the land and the materials around us? What knowledges of using these materials exist that are now not so common, or have been forgotten over time? And what does it mean to keep something warm in colder climates?

Riikka Keränen introduces a family of sculptures made of clay from Pasvik, sand from Grense Jakobselv and Sandnes, horse manure from Jarfjord, and straw from the artist’s home village of Karhulankylä in the Barents region of Kainuu, Finland.

Riikka will activate these sculptures along Kirkenes Gågata in a performative “work of warming” throughout the festival. Woodfire ovens, snow and ice sculptures, and electrical cables all form relational objects in the ongoing performance, which is intended to start conversations about warmth, and to introduce the artist’s ideas of “thinking with hands”.

From and Towards Basic Elements is one of Det gode liv // The Sweetness of Living productions. It was developed in dialogue with Pikene på Broen for Barents Spektakel 2022. With thanks to Valentina Kuuva and Jan Erik Nilsen.