maguu uino

“Maguu uino” means “go to sleep” in Karelian. This is a project in which I explore the processes of falling asleep through the imagery of northern nature and Karelian myths as part of the dream space, and also work with the theme of the assimilating Karelian language. The project emerged during my stay at the Karelia AIR residency in Sortavala and was shown there. I studied lullaby practices and Karelian mythology, creating a graphic series on tracing paper. I documented on video and photo my experience of living through the cycle of the year in nature: the first part of the project was created in December, and the second in April. My exploration of traditional lullabies was embodied in singing and recording a melody, which became the soundtrack for the video object. An important part of the immersion was communicating with Karelians, consulting with language specialists, reading relevant literature, and attending a conversational Karelian language club.
The installation was presented inside the residency’s studio — a space temporarily appropriated by the artist and transformed into a personal realm. The windows served as a display area for the graphics on tracing paper, while the bedroom became a viewing room for the video object. The residency’s courtyard, usually closed and functioning as a kind of “secret garden,” was also incorporated: ceramic casts of the artist’s hands, holding pieces of ice with frozen early spring flowers inside, were placed on dry trees. The ice melted under the sun’s rays, symbolizing awakening.
The cold winter lasts too long, but spring eventually comes, and the first spring flower appears — one that has endured the frost and cold wind under the snow.

You remain cold and silent for a long time, and then the ice melts, and tears break through. You cry rivers of tears, stretching out your hands; she strokes your head and softly sings a lullaby. You fall asleep in her embrace. The tears dry up, and in their place, colorful dreams bloom like early spring flowers. (Text: Anna Slobozhanina)

The project was implemented within the Karelian Air Residency.
The site‑specific installation includes two video objects (5 min and 4 min), objects made of ceramic, ice, and flowers, a zine made of fabric with embroidery, and three photographs on foam board.

Location: Sortavala Art Residency, the Seurahuone building.

2022