The local village association in Mynämäki was preparing an art festival for the autumn of 2013. The festival was part of a European project in collaboration with two art associations in France, Chambre d’eau and Scènes Obliques. This is what inspired us to do something ‘French’.
Pia Bartsch talks about suddenly remembering the living pictures, ”tableaux vivants”. ”Tableau vivant” is a performance in which the participants attempt to imitate a famous painting or sculpture by staying completely still. The method was originally developed by governess Madame de Genlis, who wanted to support and enliven her pupils’ understanding of what they were learning.
The idea was to make RoKoKoo Grunge Caramel a slightly rougher and more modern interpretation. We decided that all the materials would be bought from flea markets. We chose candy-like shades of pink, turquoise and blueish-grey as our colour scheme. We made jewellery out of artificial flowers and fruit and high wigs of sheep’s wool. And we had white make up, of course, with beauty spots. It’s not too much, is it?
The following people participated in RoKoKoo Grunge Caramel: Aino and Minna Hautio, Lasse T. Hurme, Pirkko Huti, Irja Keiski-Salonen, Liisa Koivisto, Kari Mäkelä, Tauno Perus and Helka Salonen as well as musicians Mikko Leistola (mandolin, vocals), Peter Lumme (guitar, vocals) and Johanna Schwela (violin).