mask workshops in finland

We are able to offer workshops that would be no cost to participants who wish to attend in Helsinki and in other parts of Finland as we are funded through our KONE Foundation residency program

Beth Twentyman has been funded to come from Australia to collaborate with Henni Kervinen and Emmi Huhtaniemi on an artistic- anthropological project entitled:

Considering Identity and Different ways of Knowing based on Corporeality.

At the core of the research is how masks have served as a fundamental tool in the study of one’s own and others’ humanity in different cultures, to change states of the realms of the everyday to represent archetypes and characters that tell stories in the theatre.

Theatrical masks can be a tool to support performers to become more aware of their own body and their profound power to create characters and tell stories. When a mask is played, we see everything, every movement, every expression, we learn clarity in movement, silence and experience the fun of telling stories using the poetic body in space.

In Finnish mask refers to something being hidden, but in reality the mask also reveals truths, the relationship between truth and masking is more complex… and anthropologically the masks can be seen as tools to modify identities and realities.

To exhibit a mask in the museum is like putting the paintbrush of the artist on display instead of the artwork, because it is the body that makes the mask come to life, the mask needs to be played.

As part of our research we are seeking personal reflections and feedback from the participants about their experience of playing the theatrical masks, which would anonymously contribute to the research project.

Workshops will be arranged during January and February 2023. Currently we are scheduling more workshops with diverse lengths. Feel free to contact us if you are interested.

The duration of a workshop can be anything from one afternoon to a series of weekly sessions that help explore mask play more deeply.

We can also arrange private workshops for groups of 2-12 persons at your venue, such as a community space or a classroom.

Mask-artist Beth Twentyman and HenninKervinen will faclitate these mask-workshops in January and February, where anyone can get an introduction to mask work… the main language is English, with a Finnish speaking facilitator.

The workshops are a part of Kone foundation residency program… the participants can also participate in an anthropological part of the project if they wish, Emmi from AntroBlogi will write an article about the experience.