Helsinki Feminist Secret Society

Kohtaamisia

The stage of a contemporary performance

Studio Pasila – Ratamestarinkatu 5
Premiere 9.8.2022
Approx. 60-70 min (Total duration of performances with intermission approx. 2 h)
Price from 17,50 €

Note: No longer in repertoire!

With the work ticket, you can also get access to Sara Grotenfelt’s performance Last Hurrah.
The ticket includes admission to Last Hurrah by Sara Grotenfelt.

Showtimes:

Tue 9.8.2022 at 7 pm, studio Pasila premiere, theme: whiteness
Thu 11.8.2022 at 7 pm, studio Pasila, theme: the conventions of a happy life
Fri 12.8.2022 at 7 pm, studio Pasila, performance 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

ENCOUNTERSOn stage, the audience will see two performers, borrowed bodies. These performers have been connectedthrough headphones and microphones to encounterers who remain hidden from the spectators. The borrowed bodiesrepeat word for word everything that the blind encounterers say. These blind encounterersnever 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 was a tool for intimate interaction? How can you represent the other? Is representation the same as representation?

The Helsinki Feminist Secret Society is an art collective that produces performances and other
outputs with varying configurations. Encounters is a continuation of First Encounter, which premiered at Mad House Helsinki in 2018.

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

The Stage of Contemporary Performance pilot project, which will be seen at Studio Pasila in 2022 and 2023, will bring different forms of contemporary performance into the Helsinki City Theatre’s repertoire. The activities of the stage of a contemporary performance are divided into a visiting stage and premieres and stage residencies aimed at preparing them.

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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 in 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

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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, mitä kuuluu?

Tinfo

Tiistaina Helsingin kaupunginteatterin Nykyesityksen näyttämölle astui Laura Eklund Nhaga, joka antoi kehonsa ja äänensä toiselle ihmiselle lainaksi Kohtaamisia-esityksessä. Helsingin Feministisen Salaseuran esitys mahdollistaa täysin anonyymejä kohtaamisia ja pohtii, kuinka toista voi edustaa. Onko kasvottomuus väline intiimiin kanssakäymiseen? Tavoitimme kiireisen näyttelijän, aktivistin, lavarunoilijan ja käsikirjoittajan kesken esityskauden ja kysyimme ”Mitä kuuluu?”.

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!