Helsingin Feministinen Salaseura

Kohtaamisia

A stage for contemporary performance

Studio Pasila – Ratamestarinkatu 5
Premiere 9.8.2022
Approx. 60–70 min (total running time including interval approx. 2 hrs)
17,50 €

Note: No longer in repertoire!

A ticket to this production also includes admission to Sara Grotenfelt’s Last Hurrah.
The ticket includes admission to Last Hurrah by Sara Grotenfelt.

Performance times:

Tue 9.8.2022 at 7 pm, Studio Pasila, premiere, theme: whiteness
Thu 11.8.2022 at 7 pm, Studio Pasila, theme: conventions of a happy life
Fri 12.8.2022 at 7 pm, Studio Pasila, performed in English
Sat 13.8.2022 at 2 pm, Studio Pasila, theme: teenagers/young people
Sat 13.8.2022 at 7 pm, Studio Pasila
Mon 15.8.2022 at 7 pm, Studio Pasila

Performance Times:

Tue 9.8.2022 at 7 pm, Studio Pasila
Thu 11.8.2022 at 7 pm, Studio Pasila
Fri 12.8.2022 at 7 pm, Studio Pasila, performed in English
Sat 13.8.2022 at 2 pm, Studio Pasila
Sat 13.8.2022 at 7 pm, Studio Pasila
Mon 15.8.2022 at 7 pm, Studio Pasila

KOHTAAMISIA

On stage, the audience sees two performers, borrowed bodies. These performers are connected
via earphones and microphones to encounterers who remain hidden from the audience. The borrowed bodies repeat word for word everything the blind encounterers say. These blind encounterers never meet each other or the audience face to face – the only interaction takes place on stage, through the borrowed bodies.

Kohtaamisia explores questions of power, representation, anonymity and empathy. What if facelessness could be a means of intimate interaction? How can one represent another person? Is representing the same as performing?

Helsingin Feministinen Salaseura is an art collective that creates performances and other
artistic interventions in varying configurations. Kohtaamisia is a continuation of Ensikohtaaminen, which premiered at Mad House Helsinki in 2018.

Working group: Laura Eklund Nhaga, Katri Naukkarinen, Amanda Palo, Olga Palo, Sophia
Wekesa

Nykyesityksen näyttämö is a pilot project taking place at Studio Pasila in 2022 and 2023, bringing different forms of contemporary performance to the Helsinki City Theatre programme. Nykyesityksen näyttämö encompasses both a programme of visiting performances and stage residencies providing resources for the creation and staging of world premieres.

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ENCOUNTERS

On stage there are two performers, borrowed bodies. These performers are connected via earphones and microphones to two encounterers who remain hidden from the audience. The borrowed bodies repeat word by word everything the hidden encounterers say. The encounterers never meet each other, or the audience, face to face – the only interaction takes place on stage, through borrowed bodies.

Encounters is interested in questions of power, representation, anonymity and empathy.

What if facelessness is a way to more intimate communication? How can one represent another? Is representation the same thing as acting?

The Feminist Secret Society of Helsinki is an artist collective producing performances and other works in varied formations. Encounters is a continuation of First Encounters, which premiered in Mad House Helsinki in 2018.

Working group: Laura Eklund Nhaga, Katri Naukkarinen, Amanda Palo, Olga Palo, Sophia Wekesa

Stage for Contemporary Performance is a pilot project implemented at Studio Pasila during 2022 and 2023. The objective of the project is to include different forms of contemporary performance in the Helsinki City Theatre’s seasonal programme. The activities of the Stage for Contemporary Performance are divided into two parts: a programme of visiting performances and premieres which are created during residency periods.

Seating chart

Zoom in

Stage

Studio Pasila

Ratamestarinkatu 5, 00520 Helsinki

More information and arrival instructions

Gallery

Kaksi naista istuu valonheittimen alla pienen pyöreän pöydän ääressä lavalla, molemmat hymyilevät lämpimästi; toisella on vaaleansininen mekko, toisella ruudullinen toppi ja tummat housut, ja taustalla on tummat verhot.

Kaksi naista istuu korkean pyöreän pöydän ääressä hämärästi valaistulla näyttämöllä, jonka taustalla on ruskeankeltainen verho. Toisella on vaalea mekko ja lenkkarit, toisella vaalea takki ja tummat housut. Pöydällä on vesikannu ja laseja.

Kaksi naista istuu näyttämöllä pienen pyöreän pöydän ääressä, ja he keskustelevat valokeilan alla. Toisella on vaalea mekko, toisella pusero ja tummat housut. Heidän välissään on lasikannu ja kaksi lasia. Taustalla on tummanpunaiset verhot.

Background

Laura Eklund Nhaga, how are you?

Tinfo

On Tuesday, Laura Eklund Nhaga took the stage of the Helsinki City Theatre's Contemporary Performance and lent her body and voice to another person in the performance Encounters. The performance of the Helsinki Feminist Secret Society enables completely anonymous encounters and ponders how to represent the other. Is facelessness a tool for intimate interaction? We caught up with a busy actor, activist, stage poet and screenwriter in the middle of the performance season and asked "How are you?".

Reviews

Helsingin Sanomat, 10.8.2022

Review

Maria Säkö

“The immediacy and relaxed nature of the performers gives the impression that everything is easy for them and the audience. However, encounters work as a setback. The next day, I notice that it sank much deeper and disturbed me more powerfully than I could have imagined at the time of the performance.”

Review

Hanna Helavuori

“(Encounters) is an extremely interesting concept for exploring the fundamental questions of performativity and representation, including racialised bodies, which are fundamental to the performing arts.”

Comments

Virkistävin kokemus vuosiin! Kumpikaan esitys ei tarjoillut valmiiksi pureksittua vaan pakotti miettimään omia reaktioita ja heränneitä ajatuksia. Kiitos rohkeista Kohtaamisista! Ja herranjestas mikä Last Hurrah - yllätti ja vei täysin mukanaan!