Plants growing in Sápmi appear in this video work as an animated wallpaper, where the plants are covered in fog or snow. Day and night, summer and winter, real and dream alternate. The luohti in the work by indigenous Sámi musician Ánnámáret calls for Biegg’olmmái, the God of Wind, for help: the exceptionally warm air and rainfall of northern winters caused by climate change is melting the snow. When the snow freezes to the ground during cold nights, it makes it difficult for reindeer to graze and find food. Climate change is already manifesting itself in the Arctic in a variety of ways, affecting biodiversity and ecosystems in the region. Ánnámáret’s yoiking is accompanied by the jouhikko (Karelian bowed lyre) played by Ilkka Heinonen and electronic music by Turkka Inkilä.
Njáhcu is a continuation in a series of works created in collaboration of Marja Viitahuhta (moving image), Ánnámáret (yoiking), Ilkka Heinonen (jouhikko / Karelian bowed lyre) and Turkka Inkilä (electronics).
Credits
- Directed, filmed and edited by: Marja Viitahuhta
- Music performed and arranged by: Ánnámáret (luohti / yoiking), Ilkka Heinonen (karelian bowed lyre aka jouhikko), Turkka Inkilä (electronics)
- Luohti composition and lyrics: Ánnámáret
- Arrangement: Turkka Inkilä, Ilkka Heinonen and Ánnámáret
- Music produced by: Turkka Inkilä
- Video produced by: Marja Viitahuhta and Ánnámáret
- Recording and mixing: Kaj Mäki-Ullakko
- Music mastered by: Virtalähde Mastering
- Music track from album: Ánnámáret: Bálvvosbáiki
- Music published by: Uksi Productions
- Thank you: Families and loved ones
- This work has been created with funding from: Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Kone foundation, Avek
- The original images of plants growing in Sápmi, found in a botany book about northern flora and used in this video work, are illustrations by artist Göran Boström. We thank Boström for his permission to use these images in our work.
Watch
A teaser of Njáhcu can be watched at the archive of AV-Arkki or below via Vimeo.
Njáhcu has been installed as a video installation at
– Marja Viitahuhta & Ánnámáret, Heinonen ja Inkilä: Eanan, 17.1. – 23.2.2025, Galleria Vanha Kappalaisentalo, Porvoo
– Marja Viitahuhta & Ánnámáret: Bálvvosbaiki, 25.5.2024-29.9.2024, Sámi Museum Siida, Inari
