| Performance Evoking relational memories of Pine, Spruce, Juniper, Birch, Moss, Lichen, Stone 12 October 10.00 – 15.30 Ostrobothnian Museum How do we listen to the laments of the land? How might our bodies, through sound and movement, attune to the subtle rhythms of plant life and the ecosystems that surround us? Through sensuous approaches, we seek ways of being with the ecology that embrace the complex and often contradictory relationships between humans and the more-than-human world. As a witness, we invite you to explore the resonance of evocation through sound and movement with us, the emotional and ecological dimensions it holds, and its ability to foster deeper connections with the interwoven fabric of life. The performance takes place in dialogue with the depicted forest land and all of its diverse elements in the exhibition Forests of the North Wind by artists Ritva Kovalainen and Sanni Seppo. Like the exhibition, the performance reflects on the fragile connections between humans and the more-than-human world, emphasizing the importance of preserving these ecosystems and the wisdom they hold. The unfolding of this choreographic practice has taken place in Ekeby Nature Reserve, southwest of Stockholm, and Öjen Nature Forest close to Vasa, within the framework of the research project Performing Ecologies, initiated by Rickard Borgström. CREATION by Rickard Borgström IN CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH DANCERS Rebecca Chentinell and Mikko Hyvönen. Evoking relational memories of Pine, Spruce, Juniper, Birch, Moss, Lichen, Stone is produced by Vaasan museot & Regional Dance Center of Ostrobothnia, and supported by Föreningen Konstsamfundet and Oskar Öflunds Stiftelse, and it is made possible thanks to the generosity and devotion from the team. |
| Post-Performance Talk 12 October 16.00 -17.00 Ostrobothnian Museum After the performance Evoking relational memories of Pine, Spruce, Juniper, Birch, Moss, Lichen, Stone join us for a conversation with the performers, Leena Nyqvist, that host the performance and the exhibition Forests of the North Wind and Eleni Pierides, Manager of the Regional Dance Center. Together, we will explore the shared themes of ecological relationships, more-than-human connections, and how both the exhibition and the performance engage with the natural world. This discussion will offer insights into the creative process behind the work, the inspiration from forest ecosystems, and the role of art in reimagining our connection to nature. We welcome your reflections, questions, and contributions to the conversation. • Leena Nyqvist, Head of Public Program Vaasan museot • Eleni Pierides, Manager of the Regional Dance Center of Ostrobothnia • Rickard Borgström, DACE – Dance Art Critical Ecology, Curator & Performance Maker • Rebecca Chentinell, DACE – Dance Art Critical Ecology, Curator & Choreographer • Mikko Hyvönen, Choreographer & Dancer |
| Workshop Exploring the Body as Earth: An Eco-Somatic Journey 8 October Vaasan kaupunginteatteri Imagine a world where our bodies are not composed of organs, bones, and muscles, but of forests, rivers, and mountains. Picture your skin as an ecosystem where rivers meander, trees root deeply, and life unfolds. Your heart, a reservoir of precious minerals, beats in harmony with the rhythms of the Earth. In this embodied world, time slows down, echoing the vast transformations of geological epochs—glaciers carving the land, species emerging and receding. In this workshop, we delve into the interconnectedness between the human body and the Earth through a series of movement, sound, and imagination. The workshop draws from the research project Performing Ecologies initiated by Rickard Borgström, in collaboration with Rebecca Chentinell and Mikko Hyvönen. This particular workshop is inspired by the Eco-Somatic practice of Amanda Piña and Eco-Qigong techniques adapted by artist Zheng Bo. It seeks to expand our awareness of the Earth by physically embodying its processes. By attuning our bodies to the rhythms of forests, rivers, and mountains, we cultivate an eco-sensitivity that shifts our understanding to an embodied approach to the ecological crisis, inviting us to reshape our relationship with nature. This invitation is for professional dancers, yet it is open to anyone interested in exploring the body as a vessel of ecological knowledge. The practice does not require prior dance training—only a willingness to engage with your body in a new, exploratory way. Here, dance becomes a medium through which we activate and honor the often-overlooked wisdom embedded in our physicality. In a world that prioritizes rational thinking, this practice calls us to reconnect with the somatic wisdom of our bodies, allowing us to experience and empathize with life forms we often categorize as ‘nature’. By blurring binary frameworks that contribute to the objectification and destruction of the Earth, we cultivate a sense of responsibility and care for our endangered environment, fostering a new way of seeing and being in the world. The workshop Exploring the Body as Earth: An Eco-Somatic Journey is led by Rickard Borgström, Rebecca Chentinell and Mikko Hyvönen, supported and produced by Regional Dance Center of Regional Dance Center of Ostrobothnia. |
rickardborgstrom.com 