Tuija Kokkonen

Toimenkuva

Taiteellisen tutkimuksen professori /

Professor of Artistic Research

Esittely

Tuija Kokkonen is an artist (writer, director /live art) and a teacher, since 2018 working as a professor of artistic research in Theatre Academy of the Uniarts Helsinki. She received her MA (Theatre Studies, minor: Gender Studies) from the University of Helsinki, and DA (Theatre) from the Uniarts Helsinki. 

Since 1996, she has focused on creating series of site-specific memo performances, which started from the questions of relationships, performance and ecology. Memos were created by Maus&Orlovski, an ever-changing performance collective of artist from various fields, founded and directed by Kokkonen. The series are: Kemi – Muistioita puista / Kemi – Memos of Trees (2022), ongoing Memos of Time – performances with and for non-humans (2006–), Valuma-alue – muistioita vapaudesta / Catchment Area – Memos of Freedom (1998–2003) and Maus ja Orlovski – muistioita rakkaudesta kaupungissa / Maus and Orlovski – Memos of Love in the City (1997). The memo series are explorations on relationships between performance, “nature”, non-human and time, and on the role of performance in the age of ecological crises. They chart terrains between genres of art, between species; terrains where aesthetics, ethics and politics are inseparable. Since 1999 the memos have been performed in the program of Kiasma Theatre/ Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki, and internationally, e.g. Kampnagel Hamburg, Sophiensäle Berlin, Stanford University, Kulturhuset Stockholm, Teaterhuset Avant Garden Trondheim. Kokkonen has received the Finland Art Prize for her artistic practice.

Her doctoral research project was entitled Esityksen mahdollinen luonto. Suhde ei-inhimilliseen esitystapahtumassa keston ja potentiaalisuuden näkökulmasta. (The Potential Nature of Performane: The Relationship to the Non-Human in the Performance Event from the Perspective of Duration and Potentiality.) Acta Scenica 2017. The key question of this research was the role of performance in the age of ecocrises, and it incorporated a series of interspecies performances called Memos of Time — performances with and for non-humans (2006–). Her current research continues on these questions, e.g. in the new performance series Kemi – Memos of Trees in Kemi City Theatre and Helsinki/ Theatre of the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma in 2022.

Kokkonen has been making art (since 1986), teaching & presenting (since 1991) and publishing (since 1992) widely in her interest areas nationally as well as internationally.

Opetus

Teacher (courses, workshops, lectures) in art/performance since 1991 in various art academies. Since 2007 teaching on the questions of art/performance, ecology, non-human.

Latest courses in the Uniarts Helsinki (doctoral and MA studies):

”Decolonising Thinking.” January-February 2022. With Prof. Lea Kantonen, in collaboration with Tutkijaliitto / Finnish Researchers’ Assosiation.

”Ethics in Arts and Research.” 2021. With Prof. Lea Kantonen.  

”Performance and its agencies in the age of ecological crises.” 2020. Dance MA.

”Ethics in Art and Research.” 2019-20.  With Prof. Lea Kantonen.              “Life after Capitalism.” 2017.                                       

“Three Ecologies and Performance.” 2017. 

“Performance Thinking and Plant Thinking.” 2017.

“Posthumanism and Contemporary Art.” 2017. With Prof. Hanna Johansson and Prof. Caspar Stracke.                       

“Philosophy and Politics of Ecology.” 2016.                                

“Three Ecologies/ Mental Ecology.” 2016.                

“Suhde luontoon esityksessä – ei-inhimilliset toimijat esiintyjinä.” Theatre Academy 2012.                                                

“A performance place as a set of relationships.” Theatre Academy 2012.

Taiteellinen toiminta

Performances:

Kemi – II muistio puista / Kemi – II Memo of Trees. Kiasma Theatre 2022. (Upcoming.)

Kemi – muistio puista / Kemi – Memo of Trees. Kemi City Theatre 2022.

Non-Human Performance, an ongoing, endless performance since 1.3.2010. (Part of Chronopolitics — III Memo of Time, Kiasma Theatre, Museum of Contemporary Art Helsinki.)

Chronopolitics with Dogs and Plants in Hamburg, 2014. Kampnagel. Nordwind/ Urban Species Festival, Hamburg.

Chronopolitics with Dogs and Plants in Berlin, 2014. Nordwind/Urban Species Festival, Berlin.

Chronopolitics with Dogs and Plants in Helsinki, 2014. Esitystaiteen keskus, Helsinki.

Chronopolitics with Dogs and Trees in Stanford, 2013. In collaboration with Alan Read. Performance Studies international 19. Conference, Stanford University, California

A Performance with an Ocean View (and a Dog/for a Dog), 2012. A video installation in Performance Platform: Body Affects Festival, Berlin.

Kronopolitiikkaa – III muistio ajasta / Chronopolitics — III Memo of Time, an endless performance since March 2010. Kiasma Theatre/Museum of Contemporary Art, Finnish Zoological Museum, Observatory of Ursa Astronomical Association. 

Esitys merinäköalalla (koiran kanssa/koiralle) – II muistio ajasta / A Performance with an Ocean View (and a Dog/for a Dog) — II Memo of Time, 2008. (Two intertwined outdoor performances in Helsinki.) Kiasma Theatre/Museum of Contemporary Art, Baltic Circle Festival. 

Herra Tossavainen – I muistio ajasta / Mr Nilsson — I Memo of Time, 2006, 2007. Kiasma Theatre/ Museum of Contemporary Art 2006; Kulturshuset/Perfect Performance Festival Stockholm 2006; the Finnish National Theatre 2007; Performance Festival Hamar, Norway 2007; Teater Avantgarden Trondheim, Norway 2007. 

Valuma-alue — III muistio vapaudesta, 2003. Kiasma Theatre/ Museum of Contemporary Art Helsinki. 

Valuma-alue — II muistio vapaudesta, 2001, 2003. Kiasma Theatre/ Museum of Contemporary Art Helsinki.

Valuma-alue – I muistio vapaudesta. /Catchment Area — I Memo of Freedom, 1999, 2003. Kiasma Theatre/ Museum of Contemporary Art Helsinki.

Maus ja Orlovski — muistioita rakkaudesta kaupungissa, 1997. (Three performances around Helsinki.) Center for Experimental Performance Art; Helsinki Act Performance Festival. 

Isämme Kremlin muurissa, 1995. Nykyteatterin museo, Helsinki Act Performance Festival.

äMMä, 1992. Art Gallery of Old Student House, Helsinki; Moving in November Dance Festival.

Visual art:

Catchment Area – Memo of Disappearence, 2003. An installation in Kiasma at the Process Exhibition, in collaboration with the film director Mika Taanila.

Directions and plays for the radio / Finnish Broadcasting Company:

Maus ja Orlovski — Muistio muutoksesta, 1998.

Tulen jäljet, 1996. Dir. and the adaptation of a novel.

Isämme Kremlin muurissa, 1994.

Sakset ja matala taivas, 1990. The text.

Leonen katse, 1989. An adaptation of the play by B-M Kóltes.

Plays / performance texts:

Minä — virtauksia valkoisessa salissa, 1991. Valkoinen Sali, Helsinki.

Minä, hysterian herra, 1990. Kemi City Theatre.

Yö sadan korttelin kaupungissa, 1989. Theatre Pieni Suomi.

EPT 981 (Series of 20 performances), 1986—87. Scripts in collaboration with Marja Louhija. Oulu City Theatre.

Petolinnut eivät laula, 1986. Kajaani City Theatre.

Tutkimus ja julkaisut

Monographs:

Esityksen mahdollinen luonto – suhde ei-inhimilliseen esitystapahtumassa keston ja potentiaalisuuden näkökulmasta. (The Potential Nature of Performance: The relationship to the non-human in the performance event from the perspective of duration and potentiality.) Acta Scenica 48. Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki 2017.

Edited volumes:

Thuring, Anna, Tuija Kokkonen and Anu Koskinen, eds. 2018. Näyttämä ja tutkimus 7: Esitys ja toiseus. (Stage and Research 7: Performance and Otherness.) Helsinki: Theatre Research Society.

Elo, Mika, Tuija Kokkonen and Maiju Loukola, eds. Special Issue on Artisc Research. Tiede & Edistys. “Taide ja tutkimus.” 4/2017.

Research articles:

Elo, Mika, Tuija Kokkonen and Maiju Loukola. ”Taidetutkimus – taiteen ja tutkimuksen leikkauskohtia. Esipuhe.” Tiede & Edistys. Special Issue on Art and Research. 4/2017.

Tuija Kokkonen and Alan Read. ”Chronopolitics with Dogs and Trees in Stanford.” Performance Research. On Time. 19.3, 2014.

”Kun emme tiedä. Keskustelemasssa ”meitä” uusiksi: lajienväliset esitykset ja esitystaiteen rooli ekokriisien aikakaudella”. (”When we do not know: Interspecies performance and the role of art at the age of eco-crises.”) Posthumanismi. Eds. Karoliina Lummaa and Lea Rojola, Eetos: Turku 2013.

”Kronopolitiikkaa esityksessä robottikoiran, jäkälän ja tähden kanssa”. (“Chronopolitics in a performance with a robodog, lichen and a star.”) Näyttämö ja tutkimus 4: Esittävien taiteiden metodologiset haasteet. Eds. Liisa Ikonen, Hanna Järvinen, Maiju Loukola. Helsinki: Theatre Research Society. 2012.

“Non-humans and Performance. A Performance with an Ocean View (and a Dog/for a Dog) – II Memo of Time.” Journal for Artistic Research 0/2011.

Other journal-type articles:

“Taiteellista tutkimusta esityksen mahdollisesta luonnosta: esityksen rooli ekokriisien aikakaudella.” Lectio Precursoria. RUUKKU – Studies in Artistic Research 9: Yhteismuotoutumisten estetiikkaa. Uusmaterialismeja taiteissa ja taiteentutkimuksessa. Eds. Katve-Kaisa Kontturi, Milla Tiainen ja Tero Nauha. 

”Esityksen mahdollinen luonto.” (“The Potential Nature of Performance.”) Nykyteatterikirja – 2000-luvun alun uusi skene. Ed. Annukka Ruuskanen. Helsinki: Like 2011.

Hanna Johansson and Tuija Kokkonen: ”Esitys merinäköalalla, paikan pysyvyys ja ajallinen moneus”. (“A Performance with an Ocean View, Permanence of Place, Multiplicity of Time.”) Ankaraa ja myötätuntoista kuuntelua. Keskustelevaa kirjoitusta paikkasidonnaisesta taiteesta. Ed. Lea Kantonen. Helsinki: Kuvataideakatemia 2010.

Articles for a professional audience:

“Muistioita ajasta: kolme näkökulmaa toisiin eläimiin ja esitykseen.” Esitys 2/2013.

“A Performance for a Non-Human.” Performance Platform: body affects, Catalogue. Berlin 2012.

“Aristoteleesta veteen, videoon, simpanssiin ja laventeliin. Henkilökohtainen historia suhteesta ei-inhimilliseen.” Teatteri 6/2006.

“Kuinka kertoa jäniksestä taiteelle?” Teatteri 7/2001.

“Notes about Love in the City”. Theatre Academy. Special Issue: Act. 1997.

”En (enää) tiedä identiteetti. Ruumis poliittisena alueena: 12 kohtaa vallasta, vaikuttumisesta, liikkeestä ja nautinnosta”. Moniääninen 60-luku. Ed. Hanna-Leena Helavuori. Helsinki: Teatterimuseo 1996.

“Ruumis esityksenä. Esityksen äänensävyä kuuntelemassa.” Teatteri 3/1995.

”Sementtimyllyn teknologia.” Teatteri 3/1992.

Keynotes and invited presentations:

Global Summit: Decolonise the Mind. Invited presentation. Sahwira Africa International & CEREN/ University of Helsinki, 2022.

Miksi yliopisto luopui vapaudestaan? Invited presentation in a seminar. University of Helsinki, 2022.

”Reflections on Interspecies Performance.” Keynote, Animal Performance Studies conference, University of Bologna, 2021.

Invited presentation, Malmö Theatre Academy, Lund University 2021.

”Artistic research and performance thinking with animals, plants, air and weather.” Keynote, Fontys University 2020.

Triopanel with Professor Anna Tsing and Associate Professor, Curator Adam Bencard in Earthbound Symposium, Aarhus University 2018.

”How to create sustainable artistic practice.” Keynote, Norteas Seminar, Iceland Academy of Arts, Reykjavik 2017.

”Performance, ecology and relationships: One history from the anthropocentric performance to the interspecies performance.” Keynote, Performance and Ecology Seminar, Theatre Academy of the Uniarts Helsinki, Berlin 2015.

”Esitys tulevaisuuden tutkimisena ja tekemisenä: ei-ihmisten tapaus.” Keynote, Theatre Research Society, Helsinki 2014.

”On the third shore – Exposing artistic research.” Keynote, Society for Artistic Research, Bern 2011.

Conference papers and presentations:

Kasvun rajat – Talouskasvun globaalit vaikutukset. A Panel Discussion. University of Oulu 2019.

King’s College London. 2018.

”Weak actors in interspecies performances.” The 3rd Biennial Performance Philosophy Conference, University of Prague 2017.

”Interspecies performance, weak action.” Performance Studies international #22 Conference, University of Melbourne 2016.

”When we do not know: Conversing with Other Species.” Colloquium on Artistic Research in Performing Arts, Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki 2015.

”Performance and ecology.” Lecture at the DISKURS festival, Justus-Liebig-Universität/ATW, Giessen 2014.

”Kasvien ja eläinten kanssa keskustelemisesta.” Finnish Society for Human–Animal Studies, University of Helsinki 2014.

”Renegotiating ”Us”: In performance with other species.” Symposium on Interspecies Performance, Theatre Academy/ Uniarts Helsinki 2013.

“Technologies of belonging. Performance and political ecology.” Lecture at the Performance Platform/body affects Festival, Sophiensäle, Berlin 2012.

”A visitor amongst millions of non-humans.” Performance Studies international 18. Conference, University of Leeds 2012.

“Artist’s response.” Change the Climate: Symposium on Alternative Scenarios in Art, Ecology and Economy. Riga 2012.

”Muistioita ajasta – kolme näkökulmaa eläimiin”, Seminar on Animals, Finnish Academy of Fine Arts 2012.

“Liveness, chronopolitics and performance.” Performance Studies international 17. Conference, University of Utrecht 2011.

“Widening human time perspectives with a performance with/for nonhumans – a presentation & an experiment.” Colloquium on Artistic Research in Performing Arts, Theatre Academy Helsinki 2011.

“Non-human co-actors and the ethics of performance.” Art and Technoscience Conference, Finnish Academy of Fine Arts 2010.

”Acting with the weather: Performance and non-human actors.” /A Cloud Committee Panel, Colloquium on Artistic Research in Performing Arts, Theatre Academy Helsinki 2009.

“The question of non-human and exits from the performative society: A misperformance for a dog.” Performance Studies international 15. Conference, University of Zagreb, Croatia 2009.

“Acting with weather – challenge of perceptability, politics of (im)potentiality and time.” Performance Studies international 14. Conference, University of Copenhagen 2008, and Nordic Summer University, University of Tampere 2009.

 ”Esityksen mahdollinen luonto”,  Helsingin yliopisto 2008.

”Herra Tossavaisen inhimilliset ja ei-inhimilliset esiintyjät.” Theatre Research Society, Helsinki 2007.

ORGANIZER OR RESEARCH EVENTS:

Symposium on Interspecies Performance: Renegotiating ”Us” – In Performance with Other Species. International, transdisciplinary research event, Theatre Academy/ University of the Arts Helsinki 2013.

Member of the organizing team of CARPA, Colloquium on Artistic Research in Performing Arts, Theatre Academy 2008-13.

RESEARCH EXPERT POSITIONS AND POSITIONS OF TRUST IN RESEARCH COMMUNITIES

Visiting researcher in the Center for Performance Philosophy/ University of Surrey, 2020.

Academic administrative positions:

The Collegium of the University of the Arts Helsinki 2012–13, 2018–.

Chair of the Professors Council, in collaboration with Professors Daniel Pelz and Heidi Partti,  Uniarts Helsinki 2021–

The University Council, University of the Arts Helsinki 2018–19.

Steering Group of the Performing Arts Research Centre, Theatre Academy Helsinki 2008–09, 2011–13.

Steering Group of the Contemporary Theatre Studies, Theatre Academy Helsinki 2012.

Steering Committee of Live Art and Performance Studies, Theatre Academy Helsinki 2011–12. (deputy member)

Positions of trust in research communities:

The Kone Foundation Board of Trustees 2019–

The Board of the Interdisciplinary Network of Environmental and Sustainability Education Research (SIRENE) 2017–18.

The Board of the Finnish Society for Human-Animal Studies 2014–15.

The Board of the Finnish Theatre Research Society 2013–14.

The Board of the Saari Residence for Researchers and Artists, Kone Foundation 12/2014–18.

Memberships of editorial boards of scientific journals:

The Editorial Board of Tiede & Edistys, Finnish interdisciplinary research journal 2016–

Ajankohtaista

Kemi – II muistio puista / Kemi – II Memo of Trees. Kiasma Theatre 2022. (Upcoming.)

Global Summit: Decolonise the Mind. Invited presentation. Sahwira Africa International & CEREN/University of Helsinki. 25.5.2022.

Miksi yliopisto luopui vapaudestaan? -seminar, invited presentation. University of Helsinki 29.4.2022.

Kemi – muistio puista /Kemi – Memo of Trees. Kemi City Theatre, premier 9.4.2022.

”Reflections on Interspecies Performance.” Keynote. Animal Performance Studies conference, University of Bologna, 2021.

Invited presentation. Malmö Theatre Academy, Lund University 2021.

Verkkosivut