MANIFESTATIONS

By Leena Valkeapää & Oula A. Valkeapää

A compilation of text messages and emails sent to the artist from her partner, a Sami reindeer herder.

Manifestations allows an intimate view into the Arctic landscape, where the fates of humans and the reindeer are deeply entangled. Everyday messages and observations convey glimpses of engaged modes of knowledge in a changing life world. Through a collage of text and photo messages between Oula A. Valkeapää, a reindeer herder in the secluded fells of northern Lapland, and his partner Leena a space is created for questions to become a part of life, rejecting the need to find clear answers. Living with questions and the mystery of life provides a space for creativity and maybe even an intensive meditation on being.

EXHIBITOR BIOGRAPHY

Leena and Oula A. Valkeapää live on the fells of northern Lapland where no roads can reach them and work together surrounded by natural phenomena. Leena Valkeapää works as an environmental artist and Oula A. Valkeapää continues his family’s tradition of reindeer herding.

LINKS

Website: vdrome.org/lena-oula-valkeapaa/

CREDITS

Directed by Lena Valkeapää

Text messages and mobile phone photos by Oula A. Valkeapää

Narrated by Oula A. Valkeapää

Editing: Teemu Lehmusruusu

Translation: Tommi Kakko

Thanks to: Mari Ljokkoi, Helena Vaara

With the support of: Finnish Bioart Society, Helsinki; Kone Foundation, Helsinki