Niina Airaksinen & SOJIKU workgroup

During their stay at the Saari Residence SOJIKU workgroup, comprising choreographer Niina Airaksinen and dancers Jonna Aaltonen, Maria Nurmela and Elsa Heikkilä, created the second part of their Japan-themed dance series. The piece, entitled simply (II) Group work, for three dancers, will be premiered in Turku in spring 2010. The first part of the series, (I) Solo, receives its premiere at the Tanssin Aika (Dance Time) festival in Jyväskylä on 26 September 2009. The third and final part, a video presentation and photo series entitled (III) Tanssia kameralle (Dances for the Camera), will also be premiered in 2010.

Taken together, the three parts of the work will explore the strong contrasts within Japanese culture. Movement is the feature that unifies the harsh beauty of deep-rooted samurais, the sensual delicacy of the geishas, and the precise, geometric mimes of today’s Japanese electronica. In addition to the contrasts, the work explores the high level of significance attached to details in Japanese culture, and the piety of activity.

‘We developed moves, worked on our timing and expression, and added sub-themes to further enrich the continuity of the overall piece.

It was fantastic to leave the rush of the city behind and immerse ourselves in our art in such beautifully tranquil surroundings!’