Description
In autumn 2021, Malviniemi Company celebrated its ten-year anniversary with the Moments from K tour. The work brought together several collaborators, including a talented group of dancers: Janne Aspvik, Ailish Maher, Eleni Pierides, and Nanna Rahikainen.
Janne Aspvik graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki in 2010. He has worked as a dancer with the Helsinki City Theatre and in the works of Tero Saarinen, Elina Pirinen, Janina Rajakangas, Liisa Pentti, Mikko Hyvönen, Petri Kekoni, Alpo Aaltokoski, and Maya M. Carroll. In 2016, he was selected for David Zambrano’s month-long EXIN program. Aspvik has created his own choreographic works since 2012 and has extensive teaching experience at both vocational and professional levels.
www.impetusmotus.com
Photo: Ronja Määttä
Ailish Maher is an Irish-Finnish-Swedish dance artist who studied at The Scottish School of Contemporary Dance, graduating in 2014 with a First-Class (Honours) Bachelor of Arts degree. She has performed and collaborated internationally with a wide range of choreographers and dance companies. Ailish has also taught at the university level and led professional classes for various dance organizations, including the Regional Dance Centre of Ostrobothnia. Since autumn 2019, she has lived and worked in Vaasa and the Ostrobothnia region.
Eleni Pierides is a freelance dance artist and pedagogue working in the field of contemporary dance in Central Ostrobothnia. Her goal is to promote regional dance art, as demonstrated by her leadership of the year-long project Dance All Year Long Kokkola in 2020. More information about her work can be found on her portfolio site: https://bal.portfoliobox.net/
Nanna Rahikainen is a dance teacher and artist based in Mustasaari. She graduated as a dance teacher from Turku Arts Academy in 2006 and has since worked widely in the field of dance throughout the Ostrobothnia region. Since 2011, applied dance with elderly people has been an important part of her work. In addition, she has taught at several regional dance schools and performed in choreographies by Mia Malviniemi. Her collaborative choreography Kulje Kanssani! (“Walk With Me”), created with elderly participants, premiered in autumn 2021.
Interview with Nanna Rahikainen:
Do you have any methods or routines as dancers that help you reach a shared state of mind?
The movement themes of the work and the discussions around them help to create a shared mental landscape within the group.
How does space or place affect you as an artist?
A space can either release or restrain energy. This affects a dancer’s work both mentally and physically.
Is there a personal space that you always return to, either physically or mentally?
In nature, there are several places that offer spaciousness — room to think and to be. When I’m in the forest, things often feel simple and right; perhaps that’s why I like to go there so often.