Ami Karvonen

I am spending my time at the Saari Residence working on a text that explores childhood, parenthood, friendship, observation, acceptance and rejection. My goal is to delve deeper into the writing process and decide whether the text will be a play or some other kind of literary work. The text is based on my personal experiences of growing up in the world of classical ballet in the 1990s – an environment where physical discipline, constant competition and the search for approval shaped my sense of self and my perception of relationships with others.

I am trying to reconnect with a child’s perspective: how does a child experience and embrace their body, their desires and limits? How does a child perceive the horizon of their outlook? What empowers a child and what suffocates them? For me, childhood is a social phenomenon and a poetic subject – full of wondrous potential that we need to incorporate more into our thinking and how we understand the world around us. My entire process is inspired by a desire to rediscover a child’s sense of omnipotence as an adult.

I am looking forward to working in the tranquillity of the Saari Manor and being able to focus on writing without the pressures of everyday life. I see this residency as an opportunity to build a permissive and unrestricted relationship with the flow, tempo and rhythm of my work.

I have worked as a dramaturge, director and writer in several contemporary drama and performing arts projects. My work echoes my desire to explore human relationships, intimacy and loneliness in a way that creates space for playfulness, critical thinking and compassion. The text that I will be working on at the Saari Residence is a continuation of work that previously evolved into a theatre performance called I’ll Be Your Mirror (Takomo Theatre, spring 2025).