The theme of the North Meets South photo exhibition focuses on placemaking and establishing a connection with a location through performative means. The exhibition showcases photos that highlight the intersection of northern and southern landscapes. These images, along with related videos, were taken in various locations, including Trollholmsund and Fierranjohka in Sámi, Vennivaara in Rovaniemi, and Daan Viljoen Nature Park in Namibia. Adding a unique layer to the visuals are fabrics painted with reindeer blood. The exhibition also features augmented reality elements that interact with visitors’ smartphones through a downloaded mobile application. This technology enhances the photographs by introducing depth, emphasising movement and emotion in the background, and enriching the overall experience of the depicted places. The exhibition is part of the Empathy Business project, funded by Business Finland, which aims to identify and test digital solutions in service design and prototyping using creative methods. By integrating placemaking and artistic techniques, the project explores innovative approaches to product development. The exhibition was created using performative place-making, light and video photography, bioart and new technology.

North meets South

Satu Miettinen, Heidi Pietarinen, Ella Björn, Taina Kontio,
Maria Caley, Michelle Van Wyk ja Reetta Kupari
30.1.–15.2.2024 Gallery Seinä, University of Lapland, Yliopistonkatu 8, Rovaniemi

22.7.-9.8.2024 Visual & Audio Lounge, Design Library, Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, Ohashi Campus

Related research: Björn, E., & Miettinen, S. (2024). Artistic cartographies and place-based service design for making places. In R. K. Isaac, J. Nawijn, J. Farkić, & J. Klijs (Eds.), Tourism interventions: Making or breaking places (pp. 83–96). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003449027-8

Related research: Miettinen, S. and Sarantou, M. (2025). Visual communication through performance collaborations. Front. Commun. 10:1476289. doi: 10.3389/fcomm.2025.1476289