MAGICIAN (TAIKURI)

July 24 at 4pm & 9pm   VPK theatre

– The artist professor as a magician –

 Two long-serving, experienced dance artists get the festival rolling with Magician, a solo that was made for Artist Professor Alpo Aaltokoski by Ervi Siren. Magician takes us back to Pyhäjärvi native Aaltokoski's provincial scenery and the basic natural elements - this magician is above all a magician of nature and the abundance of life, fused with earth, water, fire and air. Aaltokoski will dance this solo work twice during the festival in the Vpk theatre. Lighting designer Matti Jykylä and artist-actor Cris Af Enehielm are responsible for the visual aspect of the work, which has been produced in collaboration with Nomadi Productions.

 Ervi Siren has been at the forefront of the development of Finnish dance art since the seventies; she began as a dancer with e.g. Dance Theatre Rollo and Jorma Uotinen's group, and in her work as a pedagogue she has instructed many Finnish dance artists. Magician marks Siren's return to the world of choreography after a lengthy spell as a professor in the Department of Dance Art in the Finnish Theatre Academy, and she says that she is once again interested in making her own works and performing as well as teaching. Siren will hold a dance course at the festival for anyone who is interested in her working methods.

 Alpo Aaltokoski is a native of Pyhäjärvi who has, alongside his own career as an artist, worked widely and diversely in the dance field as e.g. a professor of choreography, a pedagogue at home and abroad, and as an influential force in culture and art politics. He was the artistic director of Full Moon Dance from 1995-'98 and is also a founding member of Nomadi Productions, which began in 1995. Aaltokoski is currently an appointed artist professor.