Lin Martikainen aka Lin Da

Aukeama – Opening space

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Aukeama – Opening space is a multifaceted body of works that includes an open invitation letter, performative installation, dance performance (Napapiiri – Navel Circle) and choreographic installation. The project is part of MFA studies that focuses on exploring the navel experientially. The starting point for the process was thinking about what the thesis context in the UniArts Academy of Fine Arts could enable. After reflecting on the question from a personal, social and political perspective, the project became a platform for queer people to meet around shared questions about navel, feelings and needs, consent, skin, touch and movement. 

The group was gathered through an open invitation letter where queer people were invited to participate in the joint exploration of the navel. In addition to the group meetings, there were one-to-one meetings with the convener of the project, Lin Da, to do navel mold casting where, among other things, the memories associated with the navel and the role of the navel in each person’s life were discussed. The navel plaster casting and cast beeswax were displayed with sound recordings and text in the Kuvan Kevät 2023 group exhibition at Academy of Fine Arts.

The installation was accompanied by a performance Napapiiri – Navel Circle which was an expedition led by five people from the group inside the Academy of Fine Arts. The work had ritual elements and it invited the audience to co-compose their own journey with the themes of care, touch and connectedness while traveling together alongside the other art works of the exhibition. The performance was rich in its details bringing together carefully considered elements (among other things edible navel sculptures) from different disciplines that enforce and support Lin’s corporeal thinking and aims as an artist.

The group exhibition was held at the Academy of Fine Arts, 5.5.-4.6.2023.

Camilla Granbacka wrote a review about the exhibition including Aukeama – Opening space installation for Hufvudstadstbladet.