Annette Arlander

Finland, b. 1956 in Helsinki.

Professor in performance and theory at the Theatre Academy. Graduated from there as theatre director in 1981 and as Doctor of Arts (Theatre and Drama) in 1999, with Esitys tilana (Performance as Space).

First radio play: a dramatization and all female version of Friedrich Nietzsche’s Så talade Zarathustra (Thus Spoke Zarathustra) 1982.

First independent sound art work: Joka tapauksessa luultavasti (In any case probably) 1991, for the outdoor exhibition Zet in Oulu.

In Joka tapauksessa luultavasti recorded Gallup questions were repeated rhythmically.

Most of my work today is concerned with performing landscape by means of video or recorded voice. Sometimes I use myself as a “conduit” in video or sound works, that is, documentations of performances repeated in a particular place (Murmuring valley 2002, Year of the Horse on Harakka 2003, The Shore 2004, etc.). Sometimes I use text and try to “give voice” to some element in the landscape (Where Rock Speaks 2000 or Trees Talk 2003 and 2004).

My work in and with landscapes (environments, places, nature), means for me a possibility to concentrate on something, which I can do on my own, simply. And more importantly, it offers me the challenge to try to expand my perspective from human (personal or social) encounters towards something else - which for me now, as an older woman, seems relevant, and which I want to point at and somehow share.

annette.arlander@teak.fi

www.harakka.fi/arlander

Links:

http://www.av-arkki.fi/ (Distribution AV-arkki)

http://www.teak.fi/ (Theatre Academy)