at land

New music for experimental film in Suomenlinna

at land is a performance installation featuring the world premiere of German composer Sarah Nemtsov’s harpsichord piece. The composition was written for the silent film At Land (1944) by Maya Deren, a pioneer of experimental cinema, and will be performed by harpsichordist Marianna Henriksson. The spatial design of the installation is created by visual artist Jaakko Pietiläinen, and the overall project is curated by Riikka Thitz.

Deren’s short film metaphorically portrays a woman’s psychological movements through ocean waves, shifts in time and space, and labyrinthine, absurd environments. Deren’s work was multidisciplinary, and her shot composition was influenced by modern dance of the time. The performance installation offers an opportunity to experience Nemtsov’s composition in a way that intertwines music and visual material as equals. at land merges contemporary music, interdisciplinary art, and new possibilities for the harpsichord’s sound.

The piece will be presented at HIAP Gallery Augusta in Suomenlinna, where the journey to the venue and the island’s maritime setting set the audience in tune with the work’s themes.

Credits

Music: Sarah Nemtsov: at land (2022) for (amplified) harpsichord with playback, composed for the silent film “At Land” by Maya Deren (1944) / at land (2022) für (verstärktes) Cembalo mit Zuspiel zu dem Stummfilm “At Land” von Maya Deren (1944)
Short film: At Land, dir. Maya Deren (1944), duration 15 min
Harpsichord: Marianna Henriksson
Spatial design: Jaakko Pietiläinen
Sound tech: Viljami Lehtonen
Curator: Riikka Thitz
Production: i dolci ry
In collaboration with HIAP Helsinki International Artist Programme

Visitor information

HIAP Gallery Augusta, Suomenlinna B28, 00190 Helsinki
The gallery is about a 15-minute walk from the Suomenlinna ferry pier.
You can find the Suomenlinna ferry schedule here.

Performances & tickets

Henriksson will perform Nemtsov’s approximately 15-minute composition every hour. Audience members may enter the performance space up to 30 minutes before each showing.

Gallery opening hours
Sat 26 April at 13:30-16:30
Sun 27 April at 13:30-15:30

Performances
Sat 26 April at 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00
Sun 27 April at 14:00 and 15:00

Tickets
Purchase your ticket here. Ticket prices follow a “pay what you want” principle: €8 / €13 / €18.

Accessibility

The performance takes place in HIAP Gallery Augusta on Suomenlinna island.

Accessing Gallery Augusta by wheelchair is possible but we recommend to be accompanied by a person assisting because the entrance doors are not step-free. The HIAP toilets are not wheelchair-accessible but you can find accessible toilets on five different locations on the island indicated on this map. The closest one to the HIAP Studios is located in the Summer Theatre (building nr 36 on the Suomenlinna visitors’ map).

A map indicating more accessible routes on the island can be found here. Please note that no signposts designate the accessible route in the terrain. Find more information about accessibility on Suomenlinna here.