Lost and Found in Berlin

There I was, at Luleå Airport in North of Sweden, with a huge box containing my sculptural costume created by Essi Korva. That costume I was to bring with me to Berlin for an exhibition with Galleri Syster. It didn't work out. Even after agreeing on the details of the transport by phone, they simply refused to take the box and the costume on board... So, what to do? Call a sister! 

​Hanna Kanto, another artist friend joining the exhibition was already in Berlin. I would need her help in creating another sculptural costume in 1,5 days. She said YES and a whole new character was born: a comic baroque figure, Marie Antoinette's double-ganger (shortly before the revolution) for a new performance piece WHIPPED (s)CREAM.

WHIPPED (S)CREAM
​​Meri Nikula (performance & voice),
​Hanna Kanto (costume & paintings on the background)

The process.

The first walk after 1,5 days work.

Our exhibition in Berlin with a wonderful group of artists from Gallery Syster turned out to be quite the adventure. The pressure of creating a new character from a scratch in less than two days was intense. We went to the local flee markets to find materials and let our imagination fly wild! With a bit of polyuretan foam, glue and some paint, Hanna heroically made this sculptural dress for me to bring alive.

WHIPPED (s)CREAM is portraying a woman lost in her appearance and status. Like a clown, she is trapped in her role. Both funny and tragic. Trying to find a way back in expressing her humanness within the crazy structures of society.

Sara Edström, Therese Engström, Fanny Carinasdotter, Hanna Kanto & Meri Nikula - some of the artist sisters from GALLERI SYSTER

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It was the first time for me to join forces with Galleri Syster. Our artist talk also revolved around the theme of co-creation and needing a collective around you, even as a solo artist. I love when the idea of 'sisterhood' is coming from so many directions now, within the spiritual world but also in the artistic circles, more and more. Together we lift each other up and collaborate instead of competing, as the feminine way is rising to meet as equals with the masculine ways of working. 

Marie Antoinette 
was brought to life again, 
to make us aware that the time for choosing
the wellbeing of all instead of a select few
is highlighted again.

We are all in this together.

Wild,
feminine,
​creative POWER
to you all, men and women! 

Meri