The Texture of Connection by Yohannes Henriksson featured in Hufvudstadsbladet

Juin 16, 2023 | News

The following texts are translated excerpts from Emma Presley’s article published in Swedish-language newspaper Hufvudstadsbladet on 15.6.2023. Click here to read the full article in Swedish.

« The Finnish art scene is very white » – unique performing arts debut in Helsinki

Movement artist Yohannes Henriksson introduces the ground-breaking performance The Texture of Connection at the URB festival in the Kiasma theatre.

 

The Texture of Connection by Yohannes Henriksson offers a fusion of various international talents from Uganda, the USA, the Netherlands, Ghana, Belgium, and of course Finland. Hamis Ahmed, S*an D. Henry-Smith, Sebastian Kurtén, and Saskia Nartey-Wemegah are on stage. Henriksson and lighting designer Sara Lehto are in charge behind the stage. The artists mix their art forms through a unique improv concept to create a fluid whole.

– “In breakdancing, you practise by improvising in a dance ring. People dance and read the impulses of others and act on them. So I thought it would be an exciting idea to develop and add other art elements such as singing for example. You don’t see that very often on stage where everything is choreographed« , says Henriksson.

 

FI

“Suomen taidekenttä on hyvin valkoinen” – ainutlaatuinen esittävän taiteen teos ensi-illassa Helsingissä

Taiteilija Yohannes Henriksson esittelee uraauurtavan The Texture of Connection -teoksen Kiasma-teatterin URB-festivaalilla.

 

Yohannes Henrikssonin The Texture of Connection -teoksessa esiintyy kansainvälisiä taiteilijoita Ugandasta, Yhdysvalloista, Ghanasta, Belgiasta ja tietysti Suomesta. Hamis Ahmed, S*an D. Henry-Smith, Sebastian Kurtén ja Saskia Nartey-Wemegah ovat lavalla. Henriksson ja valosuunnittelija Sara Lehto työskentelevät lavan takana. Taiteilijat luovat yhteneväisen kokonaisuuden yhdistelemällä taiteenlajejaan improvisaation kautta.

– “Breakdancessa harjoitellaan improvisoimalla tanssiringissä. Ihmiset tanssivat ja samalla tulkitsevat toistensa impulsseja ja reagoivat niihin. Siispä ajattelin, että olisi jännittävä idea kehittää ja lisätä rinkiin muita elementtejä, kuten laulua. Sitä ei näe kovin usein lavalla, jossa kaikki on koreografioitua.” kertoo Henriksson.

 

The Texture of Connection premiered on June 15th 2023 at URB Festival in Kiasma Theater in Helsinki. Click here to read more about the project and the artists.

Cover Photo by Yohannes Henriksson / The Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux.

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