Rather than striving to perpetually generate more and more energy for human consumption, wouldn’t it be wiser to ask how much energy we actually need in order to live a good life? And what constitutes a good life anyway? These questions – and sailing – form of the core of Antti Majava’s three-part contribution to Helsinki Biennial.
Antti Majava (b. 1977) lives in Helsinki and is an artist and writer both in scientific and popular journals. He is also a member of BIOS and the founding member of the Mustarinda Association, an experimental platform for artistic and everyday practices, bringing together experts from the sciences, media, arts, and other fields. Though primarily interested in forests and bio-economy, and the interconnections between nature, society and science, his focus is on hidden and unconscious meanings. As a primary method, he observes the logic of individuals and groups by taking part in the workings of organizations in different roles. From his observations he creates conclusions and artworks, from which he endeavours to develop strategies to cease the developments which endanger the future of humankind and ecosystems.
Antti Majava: Excursions on Actual Transit-ions, 2021 ©Maija Toivanen/HAM/Helsinki Biennial 2021
Excursions on Actual Transit-ions, 2021
Rather than striving to perpetually generate more and more energy for human consumption, wouldn’t it be wiser to ask how much energy we actually need in order to live a good life? And what constitutes a good life anyway? These questions – and sailing – form of the core of Antti Majava’s three-part contribution to the Helsinki Biennial.
The first part is a ten-metre-long Vindö 40 sailing boat built in 1976 and christened Greta in 2019. Visitors are welcome to board the boat to learn about its energy solutions.
The second component of the work consists of sailing excursions taking participants to energy-critical sites around Helsinki, inviting them to contemplate boats, sailing and the flow of thoughts and imaginative ideas spurred by connecting with the environment.
The third part is a video that documents literary scholar Kaisa Kortekallio, scholar, poet Antti Salminen and philosopher Tere Vadén on a sailing trip having a conversation about energy and humanity in front of an oil refinery.
Photo 1: Matti Pyykkö/Helsinki Biennial 2021
Antti Majava
Excursions on Actual Transit-ions
2021
film / HD-video
Vindö 40 sailing boat, 10kW electric engine/generator, recycled 10 kWh Lithium-ion electric car battery, solar panels, backup generator
Cinematography: Ville Piippo
Audio recording, post production: Roope Ahola
Sound, post production, graphics: Teemu Kettunen
English translation: Anna Tuomikoski
Commissioned by HAM/Helsinki Biennial 2021