Piece of Heaven is an installation that brings together textiles from various corners of the globe. Artists are sharing their individual stories about what a “Piece of Heaven” means to them. This installation features textiles crafted using diverse techniques and materials, accompanied by heavenly sounds that evoke the feelings associated with having “A Piece of Heaven.” Some stories describe finding this piece of heaven in family and friends, while others find it in nature. The accompanying sounds include the crunch of snow underfoot while skiing, the crackling of firewood, children singing, and the soothing sounds of flowing water. The textiles were produced by different artist groups and communities, including the University of Lapland in Finland, MASU in Russia, Arts Up and Fibrespace in Australia, BYICAA in China, and UNAM in Namibia. The sounds and stories were documented by these same communities, with some recordings collected by Satu Miettinen, Melanie Sarantou, and Jari Rinne. A significant portion of the voices was collected through sound probes, allowing the communities themselves to document their stories and sounds following specific guidelines. This installation emerged from a collaborative effort, connecting various artists and their perspectives. I will cherish the memories of creating this artwork for a long time. The artists came together to reflect on what matters most to them, documenting the soundscapes related to these themes and sharing both stories and textiles. The support from friends and colleagues throughout this process was invaluable, particularly from Melanie Sarantou, Daria Akimenko, Tanya Ashutova, Maria Caley, and Maria Keskipoikela. Having sound artist Jari Rinne join the project was a fantastic addition, bringing the soundscape to life. As an artist, I feel pleased and fulfilled. I look forward to seeing images of the installation from Port Augusta as part of the Voices exhibition. This installation truly embodies the concept of “voices.” From a researcher’s perspective, I still have much to listen to, reflect upon, and write about concerning the stories shared. The data and experiences related to this process are incredibly valuable, and there is still more to come from “Piece of Heaven.”

.Piece of Heaven Exhibition Gallery Hämärä 10.– 25.1.2018

Designers/Artists

Satu Miettinen design and concept
Jari Rinne soundscape

Artists

Heidi Pietarinen
Jenni-Liisa Yliniva
Essi Kuure
Melanie Sarantou
Eleni Sarantou
Maria Mbereshu
Laimi Ndapunikwa Mbangula
Risto Iita
Cheng Quansheng
Anastasia Lezina
Lyubov Kuznetsova
Anna Chernova
Daria Gorelona
Ksenia Trubnikova
Elizaveta Yarkova
Daniila Semyonova
Alexandra Sobyanina
Anastasia Dorogokuplya
Natalia Prikhodko
Yana Ilyina
Helen Burt
Ruth McTulloch
Georgie Sharp
Tammy Colman
Pam Stringer
Jonathan Hawkins-Clarke
Chris Nayda
Melva Waterman
Catherine Summers
Jan Hucks
Toni Foster
Liz McTaggart
Lauren Karp
Rosemaree Skelton
Tiffany Williams
Jackie Fiebig

Many thanks to the facilitators: Daria Akimenko, Tanya Ashutova, Maria Caley, Maria Keskipoikela, Vic Sarantou and Pasi Kelahaara

Many thanks to our exhibition master Leila Lipiäinen