Taina Kontio and Satu Miettinen’s photos and videos are part of the Acting on the Margins: Arts as Social Sculpture (AMASS) project funded by the European Union and the European test platform for artistic experiments produced by it. One of the themes of the project is to consider what forms art as a social sculpture can take. Both experiments test the role of a woman and its depiction as part of the historical continuum, and look for new ways and meanings for depicting a woman’s role and body. The collective of artists and researchers appearing in the pictures work together on issues of sustainable development, nature, bioart and art activism. Taina Kontio has filmed her works in backyards following in the footsteps of her father’s and grandfather’s adventures. In the pictures, the women are dressed in the old winter clothes of the men of the Taina family and are holding the necessary equipment, such as old work knives and driving belts. Taina herself, Satu Miettinen and Melanie Sarantou appear in the pictures. Taina Kontio reflects on the contradiction between her own, little girl’s space and her father’s space. Father and grandfather moved throughout the Lapland area, on the Norwegian side, along the rivers and border rivers. The Varang fjord and forest Sámi live in the family’s heritage. Taina’s personal history, the story of Korva’s family, the move from Kuusamo to Kiiminki in the 18th century and the resistance against Finnish land ownership are in the background of the pictures. Taina’s work again illustrates, opens up and stretches her own flattened boundaries and creates new spaces. Imagery is also created in the reimagining of the arctic discovery expedition. Women expand their roles and re-enact historical events.

More information about the exhibition:
Taina Kontio, 044 464 6203, kontiotaina(at)gmail.com
Satu Miettinen, 040 484 4367, satu.miettinen(at)ulapland.fi

More information about AMASS project:
Narrative platform