In July, media artist and storyteller Taina Kontio and photo artist Satu Miettinen collaborated on the island of Vänö in the Archipelago Sea as part of the project titled “Sense of the Sea.” In August, the project expanded to encompass the Perämere region and the rivers flowing into the sea. The piece involved swimming and walking along rocky beaches while listening to stories about the seas and rivers and engaging in discussions about life on the islands. During these activities, participants often shared personal tales about shipwrecks, the Vikings’ eastern route, and the intricate boundaries of the human body. There was also a shared pride in the importance of teaching younger generations how to navigate by boat.As artists, Kontio and Miettinen acted as facilitators for these stories, transforming them into words, photographs, video art, sounds, short films, and performances. They drew from their own understandings of the natural elements—rocks and winds—becoming like beacons in the sea, marking the way as Viking graves once did. The creative process of “Meren taju” has been open and transparent, allowing for daily updates and insights on social media. This openness has fostered meaningful discussions, the opportunity to learn from mistakes, and the potential for success.Taina Kontio is a media artist and storyteller, as well as a Doctor of Arts. Satu Miettinen is a professor of service design, a community artist, and a photographer. Together, they have engaged in socially responsible art, pioneering community projects, and have published articles on how art can shape social change. “Sense of the Sea and the Poetic Backlands” will continue its journey along the rivers of Finland and Sweden, as well as the Baltic Sea, from 2020 to 2023. Satu Miettinen’s video “Merelle” was one of the outcomes of the residency. The project has received funding from the Maaseutu Sivistysliitto and the John Nurminen Foundation.