with Vappu Jalonen
radio feature
Thousands of human bodies in line peel back tree roots and rocks, dig a deep groove into the earth.
I’ve been in that landscape, doing outdoor sports, getting lost, avoiding my problems, and eating snacks.
Valtapuisto (“Power Park”) is a radio feature that contemplates human actions and desires in a national park, in the circle of destruction and conservation.
National parks are natural environments and constructed environments. They are places of bodily experiences, environmental change, and conflicts. The work depicts fantasies related to parks: national ones and those related to nature, oneself, and one’s own body.
The human body moving in the park is awkward, it falls downhill and sinks into the swamp. A choir sings Finlandia at an event by Yle and Metsähallitus. There is a desire to do test drilling in the park. A new natural state emerges in the park.
The sound design and composition for the work is by Eero Pulkkinen. Pulkkinen is a sound artist and composer who also works in the field of visual arts. Recently, Pulkkinen has specialised in site-specific sound, text, and spatial works, as well as concerts and audio-based artistic projects.
The radio feature Valtapuisto, produced by Yle, is available in episodic format on Yle Areena. An English transcript is available.
Working group:
Script and direction: Elis Hannikainen and Vappu Jalonen
Sound design and composing: Eero Pulkkinen
Reader: Anna-Sofia Sysser
Guitarist: Elias Lindblad
Dramaturgic commentary: Even Minn, Emil Santtu Uuttu
Content commentary: Freja Bäckman, Corinna Helenelund, Sisli Piisilä, Halla Savisaari
Production: Juha-Pekka Hotinen, Radiogalleria, Yle
Language advice for English transcript: Katie Lenanton
Kone Foundation has supported the work of the artists.
Images: Venla Helenius