Ristena Biret Kirstte Nilla Pinja aka Pinja Pieski is a sámi indigenous artist, feminist and activist from Deanu river, from the Finnish side of Sápmi. They are currently living in Helsinki, studying and doing performing arts.
Let’s go back to 2016 and put Kiasma case to the table, cultural appropriation and Jenni Hiltunen’s video artwork called Grind.
Who has the freedom of speech in art? What about the responsibility of speech? Can artworks be misinterpreted? Why do some people’s opinions weigh more than others? What is institutional responsibility? What about the media’s responsibility?
It’s really damaging if some marginalized groups of people are only talked about in negative connotations among media, such as indignant mind apologists. It forms a lot of prejudice and gaps between people and interaction.
Cultural appropriation differs largely from cultural dialogue, where both sides of the dialogue get something from each other. Could now, after five years, the world be more prepared for these dialogues?
To Run Deep Down Somewhere is a playlist I put together with 40 of my all-time favourite love songs. I made the playlist in 2019. I had turned 30 that year, so naturally, I was going through this unnecessary dramatic emotional phase where I imagined myself as the cynical heroine of a 60’s French New Wave film.
READTo Run Deep Down Somewhere
I listen to my own heartbeat and the fluids stream in my gut system. There is a pace in the body that resembles musical elements; there’s loops, rhythmic patterns, melodic streams, there’s ambience. There is constant rhythm and movement inside the body as there is outside of it, in the earth, in the stars, in the wind, in the waters.
READA point of return
But what if I am comfortable in my own space? What if I don’t want to defy the impossible and all I want is to achieve my goals peacefully? Why should I compete fiercely with others to achieve my aims?
READOrdinary Life
To connect-the-dots once more, sharing a collection of songs – or a single song really – is very much similar to sharing emotions, skills, knowledges, time, food, or a room. Like being on a film set, a screening room, or a conversation together. Like sending the spontaneous text message to a stranger telling them how much you enjoyed their film.
READNettles in the Summer
