Kaiho II

This work was created in Finland in 2012 and forms part of the 'Kaiho' series, a video based triptych relating to the concept of the 'kaiho' (Finland's version of saudade or longing for something unobtainable). The artist developed a narrative from melding the story of Aino in the Kalevala (the Finnish epic) with Finnish and Karelian folklore, and memories collected from Finnish people. To develop the 'sauna lament' scene a series of workshops were held with authentic neo-lament singers. Each woman cry-sings her own stories of loss and longing. The work also investigates newer uses of Finnish mythologies, such as their application to promote nationalist sentiment by right-wing populist parties, such as the True Finns. This is explored through the seductive character of the Swan of Tuonela, who guards the underworld from non-Finns, sings a melody by Jean Sibelius, and plays with a necklace bearing the Lion which features on the Finnish Coat of Arms, often worn by right-wing nationalists. (forgalmazó hivatalos szövege)