at land – new music for experimental film in Suomenlinna

26–27 April

 

at land is a performance installation featuring the world premiere of German composer Sarah Nemtsov’s harpsichord piece. The composition was written for the silent film At Land (1944) by Maya Deren, a pioneer of experimental cinema, and will be performed by harpsichordist Marianna Henriksson. The spatial design of the installation is created by visual artist Jaakko Pietiläinen, and the overall project is curated by Riikka Thitz.

Deren’s short film metaphorically portrays a woman’s psychological movements through ocean waves, shifts in time and space, and labyrinthine, absurd environments. Deren’s work was multidisciplinary, and her shot composition was influenced by modern dance of the time. The performance installation offers an opportunity to experience Nemtsov’s composition in a way that intertwines music and visual material as equals. at land merges contemporary music, interdisciplinary art, and new possibilities for the harpsichord’s sound.

The piece will be presented at HIAP Gallery Augusta in Suomenlinna, where the journey to the venue and the island’s maritime setting set the audience in tune with the work’s themes. 

Henriksson will perform Nemtsov’s approximately 15-minute composition every hour. Audience members may enter the performance space up to 30 minutes before each showing.

 

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Gallery opening hours

Sat 26 April at 13:30-16:30

Sun 27 April at 13:30-15:30 

 

Performances

Sat 26 April at 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00

Sun 27 April at 14:00 and 15:00

 

Tickets

Purchase your ticket here. Ticket prices follow a “pay what you want” principle: €8 / €13 / €18.

 

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Credits

Music: Sarah Nemtsov: at land (2022) for (amplified) harpsichord with playback, composed for the silent film “At Land” by Maya Deren (1944) / at land (2022) für (verstärktes) Cembalo mit Zuspiel zu dem Stummfilm “At Land” von Maya Deren (1944) 

Short film: At Land, dir. Maya Deren (1944), duration 15 min 

Harpsichord: Marianna Henriksson

Spatial design: Jaakko Pietiläinen

Sound tech: Viljami Lehtonen

Curator: Riikka Thitz

Production: i dolci ry

In collaboration with HIAP Helsinki International Artist Programme