We’re using the familiar podcast format as a container for a hushed reality-bending conversation on body identities reflected in the disintegrating of our Swedish and Finnish dialects. The dialogue diverges into abstract monologues losing their footing and form during the act. Through the disintegration of language(s) we make physical the body as alien to ourselves and others.
Our individual artistic practices center around the themes of body, identity and history, especially around thoughts on being perceived, and the body images superimposed on our bodies by those observing us. By merging our personal narratives and letting them fall apart we hope to convey the impossibility of truly expressing the lived body experience to another through spoken language.
We recommend listening through headphones.
Sources (selection):
Lopez, Barry, 1986, Arctic Dreams
Erkkilä, Helena, 2008, Ruuminkuvia! (Suomalainen performannsi- ja kehotaide 1980- ja 1990-luvulla psykoanalyysin valossa)
Serano, Julia, 2022, Sexed Up
Kässi, Paavo, 2021, Kyborgi nimeltä Mu/Kyborgi nimeltä Ada
Satre, Jean-Paul, 1944, No Exit
Artist bios
Alexandra Marina (b. 1986) is a multidisciplinary artist living and working in Pietarsaari. Using an intersectional feminist perspective she creates through the experience of living in a marginalized body. She works with various media including installation, photography, text and immersive environments.
She holds a BA in Media (Novia, 2009) and Fine Arts (Novia, 2023), and is actively exhibiting her multi-year project BODY HISTORY MUSEUM around Finland.
Eli Kaunisvesi (b. 1997) is a non-binary artist from Finland. Their work explores power structures and performative social constructs. Inspired by radical queer theory, they create ceramic sculptures and mixed media installations that depict aspects and experiences of adhering to harmful systems - and what it means to refuse.
Kaunisvesi received their BA in Fine Arts (Novia, 2024) and has been actively exhibiting since.
CREDITS:
LABRA is created and produced by Alexandra Marina and Eli Kaunisvesi
Recorded, edited and scored by Bailey Polkinghorne
Sound design by Alexandra Marina, Eli Kaunisvesi and Bailey Polkinghorne
Visuals by Alexandra Marina
The work was supported by Eugène, Elisabeth och Birgit Nygréns stiftelse
The work was facilitated by Helsinki Open Waves, and recorded at culture center Caisa, Helsinki.
Helsinki Open Waves is founded and produced by Erol Mintas, and curated and produced by Sophia Deligiannaki.
*The views expressed in this audio piece and texts are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the view of Helsinki Open Waves.
**If you have any feedback regarding the content of the podcast, please contact us via helsinkiopenwaves@gmail.com