The power plants of river Oulu were one of the most important construction projects of the reconstruction period. The entirety has been classified as nationally significant constructed cultural environment.
“The power plants of rivers Oulu and Emä are opera-like total works of art, because their coherent architecture creates a unique world of their own. The combination of industry, nature and art feels somewhat contradictory, because there´s politics and strong feelings involved. We don’t want to point fingers with our work about who is right and who is not – we can’t even distinguish this”, says the artistic director Jenni Kinnunen.
International artists groups will create unique works on the base of the material gathered around the valley. Important links are municipalities, local communities and their collective memory, and the energy company Fortum which owns and runs the power plants. The series is based on the Northern Opera Copmpanys’s experience on place-bound pieces produced near the Pyhäkoski power plant in Muhos, Finland.
The experimental series which strives to combine video, literature, visual arts and music, begins with seven test pieces in Utajärvi, Vaala, Ristijärvi, Hyrynsalmi and Suomussalmi during the year 2023. The final pieces will be published closer to the European Capital of Culture year 2026.
The series is supported by Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Oulu2026 Foundation, municipalities of the region and Fortum Power and Heat.
The Series in 2023
Liederkreis-Oulujärvi – Laura Heikkilä, Jenni Kinnunen, Annemari Moilanen & Sami Mustonen
De profundis – Jenni Kinnunen, Raimo Törhönen, Tuomo Rahko, Anu Arvola, Eeva Hartemaa, Liisi Pettersson, Marja Kukkala, Peppi Gestrin, Satu Lotvonen & Virve Karén
Silkkiperhonen (The Butterfly of Silk) – Minna Mikkonen, Tuomas Kettunen, Eeva Hartemaa, Johanna Pelkonen & Lauri Marjakangas
Kuin aalto, joki (Like a wave, river) – Mari Kämäräinen & Jussi Alaraasakka
Jokijuhla (The River Fete) – Tuomo Kangasmaa, Joona Hiltunen, Marko Anttila & Jenni Kinnunen
Paperin työt (Paper Works) – Jenni Kinnunen
