Like a wave, river is a joint work of Mari Kämäräinen and Isa Asp.
Isa Asp was born in Myllyranta, Vaala in the spring of 1853 and Mari Kämäräinen in Pelsonsuo, Vaala in the autumn of 1987. In the Like a wave, river their artistic work connects through time and place.
In the piece Kämäräinen opens a dialogue with Isa Asp, which is basically unequal as the artists operate in different times. Asp is still the piece´s other artist, equally affecting to the process of the piece. It is a proposal as a stance that helps the artist and those who experience it to enter the piece. How one narrates the piece is a part of the piece.
The piece´s main performance venue is at Jylhämä power plant near the Myllyranta ruukki ruins. On of the elements of the piece is Asp´s most famous poem “Aallon kehtolaulu”, “The lullaby of a wave”.
TIme of a river, time of a human, what are they? What is death, what is love? What is the core essence of Oulujoki river? What did Isa feel and ponder when writing The lullaby of a wave?
In the piece one surrenders to be lulled by a lullaby on the edge of waters of November.
Like a wave, river is part of Northern Opera Company´s Vesivoimalaitokset, Hydropower plants, – series of works.
Artists
Visual and performance artist— Mari Kämäräinen
The poet— Isa Asp
Sound design— Jussi Alaraasakka
Producer— Jenni Kinnunen
We thank— Arts promotion center, Fortum & Vaala municipality
The photo: Mari Kämäräinen, Mari´s and Isa´s portrait at Myllyrannan ruukki , digital piece, 2023 (photos used in the photo: Mari Kämäräinen´s portrait Lydia Toivanen 2023, Isa Asp´s portrait, photographer and exact time not known to the artist, circa 1872, photo of river Oulu, Mari Kämäräinen 2023)
