2012 in pictures / part 1

Basel is just one big construction site this year, but I have never ever seen nine such machines on a same project before.

Basel, Messe June 2012

dOKUMENTA 13, Kassel, Germany, June

In June I went to Kassel in central Germany. We had been invited to perform at the opening of the big art exhibition dOKUMENTA 13 with "Etude" by Alexandra Bachzetsis. This exhibition is organised only every five years and extends over three months in duration.

Kassel was a funny, sort of sleepy town, which had been transformed into this posh art scene for the duration of the exhibition. Art was absolutely everywhere, and so was loads of people, even though the expo hadn't really even kicked in yet.

 

Photos look pretty gorgeous with all that sunshine and fresh greenery, but you have no idea how freezing cold it was there. The second week of June and I had go to C&A to buy an emergency pullover, so that I don't freeze my butt off.

 

Below is the interior of Brüderkirche, where we had the first one of our two shows at dOKUMENTA. We rehearsed there for two days in approximatel +10'C temperature. On the day of opening it was revealed to us, that there actually would have been heating system, but no one turned it on for us. Brrrh.

Brüderkirche

The amount of art was really overwhelming. After a certain point, one cannot take in anything anymore. It would make much sense to go visit the exhibition multiple times. I didn't have that luxury, so I had to choose. One of the things I went to check out, was M.A Numminen perofrmance. Just because he is a fellow Finn. I thought I knew his stuff, but he had prepared some totally new material for the occasion. Nice and very intellectual. He composes classical music on the themes of existence and philosophy. And also some funny stuff for kids, but this was not presented in dOKUMENTA =).

M.A Numminen

Some curious stuff stuck to my mind about the selesction at the exhibition. There were some very very nice kinetic oil paintings, where the surface seems to be three dimensional, but it's just optical illusion. Those I liked very much.

Optical illusion

From somewhere in central America, they had brought a room full of environmental awareness. It was about the industry poisoning the land and stealing the livelihood of locals - and also about them killing this very curious ulgy-sweet little fish, that lives in local waters. Here's the creature:

Ugly-sweet, am I?

The second of our venues was an old movie theater named Kaskade in the heart of the town. Everything was in the mids of construction, but I got the very-small-scale-version of the performance up and running okay.The theater must have been gorgeous somewhere in Sixtie's or so. It had these nice burgundy red velvet chairs and golden mosaic ceiling. Pretty, but totally run-down. Now they are going to built something brand new in it's place instead of renovating the elegant old interior. Happens in so many places, so sad.

Golden ceiling of Kaskade Kino

The exhibition was just on the starting line as we there. There fore they threw a humonguous opening party at the local train station. they had actually rented out the whole premises and turned it into a huge night club. On one end was live bands playing and the other people were clubbing.

Opening party at Bahnhof Kassel

My beautiful Finland

In July. Oh how I had missed those white nights! The weather was not very king to me, though. No sign of a record-breaking heatwave like the previous year, when I didn't have a chance to go there. But beautiful nonetheless. Here are some impressions:

Parola, July 5th, 04:00 in the morning

Parola, July 5th, 04:00 in the morning

Parola, July 5th, 04:00 in the morning

My friend Regine from Basel was visiting me while I was in Finland. This was her first time in the country, so I got the play the little turist guide. It was nice to have a chance to look at so familiar things through the eyes of a first-timer. Makes you see differently. There is lots of beauty in my country which escapes my accustomed eyes.

Helsinki, Kauppatori harbor

Teeny weeny freshly fried vendaces, yummy!

Helsinki as seen from the rooftop restaurant Torni

Vanajavesi lake system just near Parola

Countryside, night time

Countryside, night time

Wild strawberries, also yummy!

Countryside, night time

In the early autumn, the national champinoships of fireworks. Teams compete in choreography of fireworks composed to the music of their choice, duration 5 minutes. Helsinki. This year I went again to see this with my friends. Nice hang out.

Fireworks in Helsinki

The last, but definately not the least, Tallinn, the shopper's paradise. New shoes, yay!!