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Arts

The Other Side: The Intersection of Performance Art & Camera

Application summary

The Other Side working group, formed by artists Aman Askarizad and Parsa Kamehkhosh, strives to play a role in transforming Vantaa into a more vibrant hub for art enthusiasts. We focus on performance art (not to be confused with performing arts), and aimed at curating and organizing live performance festivals, video performance screenings, and an educational project, in Vantaa city. For too long, Helsinki has dominated the Finnish art scene, leaving Vantaa with limited artistic opportunities. Our dedication to Vantaa as our hub aims to set forth its artistic potential and rejuvenate the city's quiet art scene. In our team, we acknowledge both distinctions in our individual approaches and practices, as well as our shared objectives which creates a balanced environment within our projects. We run 4 projects annually. 1. A peer collaborative initiative called “The Sidewalk” is a platform for ideation and production of video performances and is aimed at engaging Vantaa residents. It encourages participants to explore their lived experiences through performance art as a vehicle for self-expression. 2. Annual live performance Festival as an occurrence that bridges the gap between well-established performance art festivals and independent events across Finland. 3. Screening events, including a) screening nights with an emphasis on the diverse roles of the camera in performance art, showcase the artists who create works specifically for the camera. b) Screening tours across libraries in Vantaa which introduces residents to contemporary performance art. 4.To contribute to building an art community in Vantaa we set up casual monthly Open-door gatherings at The Other Side space in Martinlaakso. Within these gatherings, we provide an opportunity for people to utilize the space for experimental purposes. Our values prioritize collaboration, diversity, inclusivity, environmental sustainability, and ethical representation in art curation with a focus on decolonizing methodologies

During 2025, The Other Side Platform delivered a year-long programme combining performance art production, artistic education, public engagement, and international exchange. The programme strengthened the position of performance art in Vantaa while creating accessible opportunities for diverse audiences to participate.

Activities began with One-Day Stand No.3 at Vantaa Art Museum Artsi in the context of the Steps in the City exhibition, followed by One-Day Stand No.4 at Kaupunkikulttuurikeskus Mosaiikki, where previous Sidewalk participants presented their work alongside established artists. One-Day Stand No.5 continued the collaboration with Artsi through another programme within the exhibition.

During spring and summer, The Other Side organized the Sidewalk Project 2nd Edition, a free performance art education programme for residents of Vantaa and the capital region. Through workshops, lectures, mentoring, and production support, participants created their own performance works. The project concluded with screening events at Kulttuuritehdas Vernissa in Vantaa and at the MAA School Festival in Suomenlinna.

The year concluded with The Other Side Performance Art Festival 2025, featuring 15 performances, artist talks, screenings, workshops, and Finnish and international artists. The Other Side also joined PLAYA, a European network of performance and live art organisations and festivals.

The funding enabled a continuous programme supporting artist fees, education, documentation, public events, and international collaboration. Although the expanding programme increased administrative demands, it strengthened The Other Side's activities and partnerships. The grant was used primarily for activities in Finland, with a smaller share supporting international artists. The project reached residents through free events, workshops, screenings, collaborations with cultural institutions, online communication, and social media networks.

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