Article
Choreography of Circus art, Dance and Theater
edited by Annika Salomonsson
Inpired by the world of new circus, dancer and choreographer Minna Vainikainen creates performances that crosses over traditional boundaries of dance. In the following text, Vainikainen describes her particular style of choreography and pays tribute to her mentors and sources of inspiration.
I`ve been working a lot as a choreographer-director after my studies at the Theatre Academy. My work is a mixture of dance, theatre and new circus. Between my own productions I`ve been working mainly as an opera choreographer at the Finnish National opera. In addition, I also work as a choreographer in theatre. For the summer 2004 I`ll direct a childrens opera for the Savonlinna Opera festival. The Opera will be composed by Jaakko Kuusisto.
In 1998-99 I collaborated with Cirkus Cirkör in Stocholm, Sweden , choreographing many of their performances. New circus is close to my heart in my art. The innovative atmosphere in new circus has inspired me in my own productions.
In 2002 , I worked in Tallinn, Estonia with the Von Krahli Theatre. I n connection to their tenth anniversary party I planned and directed the Estonian actors, dancers and circus artists in a performance called "Birthday".
Finnish press chose from my own productions in Finland "Gekko"(1999), " Trombi"(2001) and "Paprika (2001)" as one of the most interesting performances in Finland that year."Gekko" and "Trombi" were produced by Q-theater and "Paprika" by MD dance company.
In dance my mentors have been Arja Raatikainen, Alpo Aaltokoski, Ari Tenhula and Marjo Kuusela who were my teachers at the Theatre academy dance department. Cirkus Cirkör taught me a lot about new circus. In Opera and theatre I have learned a lot from directors Kalle Holmberg, Antti Raivio, Vilppu Kiljunen and Kristian Smeds.
In 1998-99 I collaborated with Cirkus Cirkör in Stocholm, Sweden , choreographing many of their performances. New circus is close to my heart in my art. The innovative atmosphere in new circus has inspired me in my own productions.
In 2002 , I worked in Tallinn, Estonia with the Von Krahli Theatre. I n connection to their tenth anniversary party I planned and directed the Estonian actors, dancers and circus artists in a performance called "Birthday".
Finnish press chose from my own productions in Finland "Gekko"(1999), " Trombi"(2001) and "Paprika (2001)" as one of the most interesting performances in Finland that year."Gekko" and "Trombi" were produced by Q-theater and "Paprika" by MD dance company.
In dance my mentors have been Arja Raatikainen, Alpo Aaltokoski, Ari Tenhula and Marjo Kuusela who were my teachers at the Theatre academy dance department. Cirkus Cirkör taught me a lot about new circus. In Opera and theatre I have learned a lot from directors Kalle Holmberg, Antti Raivio, Vilppu Kiljunen and Kristian Smeds.
Author: Minna Vainikainen
Bio
Minna Vainikainen was born in Finland in 1969. She studied at the School of Music and Dance ( high-school) in Kuopio 1985-88 and went on the the Dance Department at the Theatre Academy in Helsinki where she studied dance and choreography. Minna lives in Helsinki Finland and works both in Finland and internationally.
Works
The Canine Kalevala
Production / Performance,
2004
Children Opera - premiere on 12th of July , 2004
Kalajuttu
Production / Performance,
2003
Own production with dance group "Grupen Fyra" in September 2003
Carmen
Production / Performance,
2002
Work as choreographer and assistant director to Vilppu Kiljunen
Birthday
Production / Performance,
2002
Own production at Von krahl Theater, Estonia
Tsirkka
Production / Performance,
2002
Own production with modern folkdance group
Paprika
Production / Performance,
2001
Own production produced by MD Dance Company
Trombi
Production / Performance,
2001
Own production with Q-Teatteri
Gekko
Production / Performance,
2000
Own production with Q-Teatteri
Kuvia Hämärässä at Masa Yards Shipyard
Production / Performance,
2000
Work as choreographer
Paavo Nurmi
Production / Performance,
2000
Work as choreographer for Opera as part of Helsinki Culture Capital Festival 2000
Il Trovator - Opera
Production / Performance,
2000
work as choreographer
Voodoo Lounge
Production / Performance,
1999
Work as choreographer for Cirkus Cirkör, Sweden
00:00
Production / Performance,
1998
Work as choreographer for Cirkus Cirkör in Sweden
Salome
Production / Performance,
1997
Dance in performance directed by Claude Naville at the Finnish National Opera
Siliconplanet
Production / Performance,
1997
Own dance production with Q-Teatteri
Searail
Production / Performance,
1997
Dance Performance , choreographed by Ari Numminen
Projects
This artist took part in the following project(s) organized/funded by the culturebase.net partner institutions.
