Installations

Co-Authoring Identities in Bio Art: A Symposium Recap

Satu Miettinen, Amna Qureshi, Heidi Pietarinen, and Melanie Sarantou showcased "Co-authoring Identities and Bio Art" at the AMASS Symposium III in Prague on November 24, 2022. The exhibition emphasizes the complex connections between individuals, nature, and creativity, exploring shared identities and experiences through innovative, environmentally friendly textile installations.

Co-authoring

Discover the Entanglements South-North Exhibition

An exhibition titled "Entanglements South-North," featuring artists Michelle van Wyk, Maria Caley, Amna Qureshi, and others, is hosted at the Goethe-Institut in Windhoek, Namibia, from November 29 to December 6, 2022. It highlights artistic collaboration between the University of Namibia and the University of Lapland, promoting diverse perspectives and themes.

Co-authoring

Artivism and Sustainability: The Salmon War Project

The project "Salmon War" involved performance and textile installations to address sustainability issues regarding the Kemijoki River in Finnish Lapland. Artist-researchers supported Professor Vesa Puuronen, fined for graffiti protesting a power plant's impact on salmon populations, advocating for environmental action and legal reform to protect local biodiversity.

Exhibition

Collaborative Mandala Art with Bridge to Nowhere

The collaboration with the Bridge to Nowhere Arts Association in Port Pirie, Australia, brought together artists, including Melanie Sarantou, to create mandalas woven into a recycled gate. This project fostered friendship and community, reflecting on life cycles through shared stories and creative expression, culminating in a six-week installation.

Co-authoring

Sustainable Art Workshop in Cape Town

The "Flowers of Cape Town" workshop, held in November 2018, involved CPUT's Faculty of IT & Design. It focused on sustainability by exploring personal feelings about recycling. Participants created flowers using recycled plastic, inspired by Cape Town's natural beauty, culminating in a roadside installation in District Six.

Arts-based research

Kalahari Highway Exhibition: Art and Indigenous Sounds Combined

"Meters of Sand" is a 140 cm by 500 cm digital textile print showcased at the Kalahari Highway exhibition from August 16 to September 16, 2018. It incorporates a voice installation by Jari Rinne, connecting to Tarja Wallius' work. Soundscapes recorded during workshops with San communities enrich the exhibition's narrative.

Arts-based research

Arts-Based Reconciliation in Sámiland

The University of Lapland, the Giellagas Institute, and the Saamelaisalueen Koulutuskeskus conducted a reconciliation course for aspiring mediators in Sámiland. In 2018, I participated in the training led by Antti Pentikäinen and Anne Nuorgam, practicing arts-based reconciliation with Hanna Guttorm, and co-authoring an article on this method.

Exhibitions

Voices and Textiles: A Journey Through ‘Piece of Heaven’

"Piece of Heaven" is an artistic installation showcasing textiles and stories from global artists, exploring personal definitions of "heaven." Accompanied by evocative soundscapes, these works highlight connections to family, nature, and community. Created through collaborative efforts, the project emphasizes shared experiences and reflections, leading to rich narratives and cultural expressions.

Bioart

Creating a Winter Garden: Art and Care for Plants

The Winter Garden, an art project held at F-house, Gallery Lyhty from December 5 to 19, 2017, involved caring for plants during the kaamos season. Participants were invited to nurture the plants, which held personal stories from around significant occasions. The artist aimed to capture these narratives on video and expressed gratitude to contributors.

Exhibitions

Empowering Women Through Art: Margin-to-Margin Project Highlights

The Margin-to-Margin project highlighted how art empowered women in remote areas to redefine their identities. Involving 98 women from 10 countries, the initiative facilitated workshops focused on craftsmanship and cultural engagement, enhancing self-worth. The related exhibition showcased their creative journeys, addressing challenges like isolation and migration, and emphasizing the value of networking.

Exhibitions

Wings: A Journey Through Hietasalo Island

The author explores the theme of "wings" through photographs taken of their daughter, Ruusu, wearing a winged T-shirt on Hietasalo Island in summer 2014. This work culminated in an installation for the "Näkyjä" urban art exhibition in Kuopio, featuring a storytelling workshop for children, celebrating summer's beauty.

Arts-based research

Storytelling as a Tool for Youth Empowerment

The Youth Empowerment installation, created during the 2014 Participatory Design Conference in Namibia, engaged youth in collaborative art to express their challenges and aspirations through storytelling. Led by Vikki du Preez and several universities, the project emphasized service design and empowerment, fostering dialogue on significant youth themes through creative installations.