MERI NIKULA (Finland)
Vocal Artist, Composer, Performer, Transformational Healer
PERFORMANCES
2019
Kumma Puutarha, Environmental Art Exhibition, Rovaniemi, FINLAND
‘Juurilla’ solo performance at the opening of the exhibition
Vaattunkikönkään Kulttuurin Kinttupolku, Art Walk, Rovaniemi, FINLAND
‘Spirit of the River’ solo performance by the water in nature
Precious Balance Walk, Malmö, SWEDEN
Performance film shoot with an international team for an Art Film
Päiväntanssit XVIII, Kokko 1721, Kangasniemi, FINLAND
Breathing Earth, solo performance (premiere)
The Spirit of Winter, Haparanda/Tornio, SWEDEN/FINLAND
Solo performance for the New Year’s Celebration on the border for 5000 guests
2018
Kveenit - Kainulaisten Jäljilä, Gallery Jieris, Muonio, FINLAND
Sound installation for a group exhibition.
Luonnollisesti - Naturally, Gallery Pentik, Posio, FINLAND
Opening performance Juurilla for an exhibition by Lapin Taiteilijaseura
Iroiro-ii, BorderPride 2018, Tornio FINLAND
Outdoors interactive performance with children for the with Titta Court (dance) & Meri Nikula (sounds, voice & performance)
Oranki Konkarit, Willa Korva, Kolari, FINLAND
Opening performance for an exhibition.
KVEN Connection, Arktikum, Rovaniemi, FINLAND & Varangermuseum, NORWAY
Group exhibition: sound installation.
Art Ii Biennial, States of Matter, Ii, FINLAND
Bottled Water Exports: 9 participatory artistic acts with Ignacio Perez Perez (Venezuela)
Exhibition with Gallery Syster (Luleå, Sweden) in GlogauAIR, Berlin, GERMANY
Solo performance Whipped (s)Cream by Meri Nikula, Costume: Hanna Kanto
TALKING NYMPHS at Lofoten Islands, NORWAY
Solo concert with a natural echo of the mountains. Organiser: Ny Musikk Nordland.
2017
Den Mystiska Kvinnan, Haparanda, SWEDEN
Artistic director for a project with the art & design students from Svefi.
The Museum of Torne Valley, Tornio, FINLAND
Solo Vocals for a video at the Opening Ceremony to Celebrate Finland, 100 Years
Opening Performance at Västerbottens Museum, Umeå, SWEDEN
Solo performance with kantele and giant birds nest
Opening Performance at Kakslauttanen, Saariselkä, FINLAND
Solo performance Louhetar from Kalevala, sculptural dress by Essi Korva.
Täydenkuun Konsertti, Viiankiaapa Nature Reserve, Sodankylä, FINLAND
Sound installation for a group exhibition and a live performance at the opening.
Kven Connection, Vadsø, NORWAY
Sound installation for a group exhibition and a live performance at the opening.
Raga and the Voices of the Northern Lights, Pardes Hannah, ISRAEL
Concert with Israeli musicians Ofra Avni (bansuri flute), Ram Hadar (tabla) and Itzik Yona (guitar)
Arctic Waters, Lapin Keskussairaala, Rovaniemi, FINLAND
Vellamon Ilmestys (Performance: Meri Nikula, costume: Essi Korva) & opening of a mural by Paula Suominen
Ars Kärsämäki, Kärsämäki, FINLAND
Vellamon Ilmestys (Performance: Meri Nikula, costume: Essi Korva)
CROWMAN, Spring Dance Festival Tour in Wuxi, Nanjing & Shangzhuo, CHINA
Original live music for a dance piece by Groundbreakers (The Netherlands) and Wuxi Dance Company (China)
Kalevala Absurdic, Galleria Jala, Haparanda, SWEDEN
Performance with sculptural costumes and live music by Essi Korva (costumes), Hanna Kanto (concept) and Meri Nikula (music)
2016
DanseFestival Barents, Hammerfest, NORWAY
Performance: DOMESTRIX (premiere!),VOCAL MOSAIC, solo concert
ÄÄNIÄ MUUALTA - Nordic Soundscapes, Oulu, FINLAND
Solo Concert and a Seminar Presentation (Global World Music)
Vocal Mosaic, Casa Lucia, Corfu, GREECE
Solo Concert outdoors
Meditative Concert, Paris, FRANCE
Vocal Healing Journey (solo) at Kalari 7, Bastille
'Risulinnun Siiven Alla', Muonio Library, Muonio, FINLAND
Solo Performance based on the twig art by Anita Silenius
Beam of Light, Oulu Museum of Art (OMA), Oulu, FINLAND
'Cosmic Radio' (solo), at the opening of Hanna Kanto's Exhibition
LYDRØRT, Lofoten, NORWAY
Solo Concert, 'Vocal Mosaic'
WORM, Rotterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
Solo Performance, 'Survival of the Fittest'
ZONDER STROOM, (by Extrapool) at De Kleine Wiel, Nijmegen, THE NETHERLANDS
Solo Acoustic Concert
2015
DanseFestival Barents, Hammerfest, NORWAY
Solo Performance ‘Survival of the Fittest’
Alla Breve, Radio France, Paris, FRANCE
Radio performance of a collaboration between Diego Losa (GRM) and Meri Nikula
KalottJazz&Blues Exhibition, Aineen Taidemuseo, Tornio, FINLAND
Solo Vocal Performance at opening of the exhibition by Hanna Kanto & Essi Korva
Esitystaiteen Markkinat, Zodiak, Helsinki, FINLAND
Performance Festival, Solo Performance 'Survival of the Fittest'
(Maternity Leave)
2014
Global Container at Sleeping Beauty Castle, Tallinn, ESTONIA
Performance Festival, Solo Performance 'Survival of the Fittest'
Tableaux Intérieurs, Galerie Andiamo, Marseille, FRANCE
Performance Event and Concert with with Léa Canu Ginoux (dance/choreography) and Meri Nikula (voice/performance)
(The Birth of my Daughter, Hammerfest, NORWAY)
Mimi Hilda Indigo Nikula saw the light of day for the first time
2013
URPLEX at European Festival of the Night, Korpilombolo, SWEDEN
Icy Outdoors Concert for Voice, Video, Live Electronics and the four states of water with Lisa Stenberg (live electronics), Meri Nikula (voice & video)
URPLEX at Arctic Studios, Kautokeino, NORWAY
Icy Outdoors Concert for Voice, Video, Live Electronics and the four states of water with Lisa Stenberg (live electronics), Meri Nikula (voice & video)
Dimanche Rouge, Performance Festival, Helsinki, FINLAND
Solo Performance 'Survival of the Fittest' at Kauppakeskus Kamppi and Helsinki City Art Museum
Duo Soirée at Divine Madness, Marseille, FRANCE
Vocal improvisation with the 'Ritual' by Léa Canu Ginoux (dance), Solo performance RED
Esitystaiteen Markkinat, Zodiak (Kaapelitehdas) Helsinki, FINLAND
Solo Performance RED
HAPARATOR Electronic Music Festival, Haparanda, SWEDEN
URPLEX, pre-premiere of a new performance for voice, video, live electronics and ice in collaboration with Lisa Stenberg
SCH (Sleeper Hallucination Camping), FLOAT, Osaka, JAPAN
Online Live Performance with Video - with Trever Hagen (trumpet)
Lagrotta, Haparanda, Sweden
Vocal Mosaic - Solo Concert
Urban Primitives, URBANGUILD, Kyoto, JAPAN
Dance & Performance event
Miniatures vol. 20, MIIT House, Osaka, JAPAN
Sound & Performance event
Song x Voice, Kissa Sakaiki, Tokyo, JAPAN
Concert with Pearl Alexander (double bass) & Workshop (Voicing Your Body)
Unmonumental, Studio Kura, Fukuoka, JAPAN
Vocal Mosaic at an opening exhibition of Christopher Jones
Summer Sky Sound, Cafe Sarunpowaku, Osaka, JAPAN
Music, Performance & Aerial Acrobatics
Improvised Music, Cafe Muriwui, Tokyo, JAPAN
Morishige Yasumune (cello) Scott Jordan & Ryo Nakamura (koto), Meri Nikula (voice)
2012
'SkinIce' - Performance with frozen clothes, Haparanda/Tornio, SWEDEN/FINLAND
New Year's collaboration project on the border with: Titta Court, Lisa Stenberg, Eric Mutel, Marju Matsin & Meri Nikula
'Dimanche Rouge' -Performance Festival, Tallinn, ESTONIA
Solo Performance RED at Cultural Factory Polymer and KUMU Art Museum
Arctic Studios Kulturscene, Kautokeino, NORWAY
Two solo performances (voice, movement & video): RED & I Eye I
'Into The Great Wide Open' -Festival, Vlieland, THE NETHERLANDS
Project Musicaerial, an inter-disciplinary project for kites, sensors, sound & performance
Performing two pieces: 'I Talk To The Wind' by Dyane Donck (composition for voice & kite/wind)
'Windkracht 3' with Meri (voice & performance), Nico Huijbregts (piano), Frouke Wiarda (kite/wind)
Gaudeamus Muziekweek, Utrecht, THE NETHERLANDS
MUSICAERIAL, project by Frouke Wiarda for 10 kites, 10 compositions, performance & sound installations
'I Talk To The Wind' composition by Dyane Donck: voice (Meri Nikula) & kite/wind
'Windkracht 3' performanced by Meri Nikula (voice & movement), Nico Huijbregts (piano), Frouke Wiarda (kite/wind)
Sami Eastern Festival, Kautokeino, NORWAY
'World Of Voices' Concert: Meri Nikula (vocal solo) and Niko Valkeapää (voice) & Per Willy Aaserud (Trumpet & Electronics)
AbstrActions, Performance Event, Lagrotta, Haparanda, SWEDEN
Three women alone and together, with voices, bodies and improvised sound
with Yessiqa Lövbrand (dance & performance), Lisa Stenberg (sound & performance) & Meri Nikula (voice & performance)
The Vondelbunker, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
De Weerzin: evening of poetry, performances, installation art and music. Meri Nikula (vocal solo)
HARU by Hija Bastarda, Closing Party at Tokyo Wonder Site ,Hongo, JAPAN
Hiroki Hirota, Japan, Luis Carneiro, Portugal, Gui Castor, Brazil, Tomas Opinião, Portugal & friends
Live Video Installation & Live Voice by Meri Nikula
Well/Well/Not-at-All, Three Solo Performances, Esorabako, Shinjuku, Tokyo, JAPAN
Solos by Alexandra Cardenas, guitar (Mexico), Jake Harper, piano (New York), Meri Nikula, voice (Finland)
Jazz Spot Candy, Chiba, JAPAN
Astral Fruits Live: Josh Hume (self-made instruments) & Meri Nikula (voice)
Time After Time, Tokyo (Hirai), JAPAN
Vocal Duos: William Kotaro Tokuhisa & Meri Nikula
Midsummer Night's Dream, HIGHTI, Tokyo, JAPAN
Electro-Acoustic Live Surround System of Sounds: Nobunaga Ken (percussion), Chie Mukai (er-hu, voice, dance), Ryo (koto),
Takeshi (psaltery), Josh (self-made instruments), Rarufu (jew's harp), Meri (voice)
Velvet Moon, Performance Night, Urbanguild, Kyoto, JAPAN
Solo Vocal Performance
2011
Tokyo Opera City Recital Hall, TOKYO, Japan
Yori-Aki Matsudaira's 'What's Next?' for soprano and 2 noise makers.
Jazz Spot Candy, CHIBA, Japan
Astral Fruits (Meri Nikula, Voice/Joshua Hume, DIY Instruments)
MIIT House, OSAKA, Japan
Miniatures, Dance & Sound Event
Live Music & Dance Party at Pool, TOKYO, Japan
dDamage & 2080, Astral Fruits (Meri Nikula, Voice/Joshua Hume, DIY Instruments)
Experimental Music at Hidden Agenda, HONG KONG
HanallicaMotayo (Tokyo/Berlin), Meri Nikula (Tokyo/Finland), Wilmer Ongsitco Chan (HK)
IKRA Dance and Performance Art Festival, Haparanda/Tornio, SWEDEN/FINLAND
Two Solo Performances (voice, movement & video): I Eye I and RED
Solo Soiree, Canal Danse, Paris, FRANCE
Two Solo Performances (voice, movement & video): I Eye I and RED
Cinema Oblo, Lausanne, SWITZERLAND
Magouf Festival, Solo Performance RED
OT301, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
GARBE DIEM - Duet with Maria Mavridou and Meri Nikula &
Solo Performance RED
Het Poortgebouw, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
OORSPRONG Curators Series:
Manuela Tessi (dance), Sandra Pujols (dance/voice), Makiko Ito (dance), Yedo Gibson (Sax), Meri Nikula (voice/movement)
K77 Studio, Berlin, GERMANY
Voices of the World Solo Vocal Concert
Sucked Orange Galerie, Berlin, GERMANY
RED & I Eye I: Solo Performances by Meri Nikula
Urbanguild, Kyoto, JAPAN
Sound & Movement Event, Solo RED
Common Cafe, Osaka, JAPAN
Sound & Movement Event, Solo RED
W x W x W, LoopLine, Tokyo, JAPAN
Sound & Movement Event with Mingo Kazumi and Yangjah
Experimental Sound, Art & Performance Festival, Tokyo Wonder Site, JAPAN
Award Winner's Performance, TRILOGY: Human Conditions
In The Flesh I Reside (video presentation), I Eye I / ai ai ai / 愛愛愛' and RED
2010
I Eye I Solo, NK, Berlin, GERMANY
Solo Event at Neukölln, Berlin
Duets Night, OT301, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
Dance & Music Event, Duet with Maria Mavriodu
Light & Shadows, HIGHTI, Tokyo, JAPAN
Experimental Shadow Theater & Live Music Event with Tomomi Adachi, Lead Sister II (self-made instruments)
Nordic Voices, Hasuhachi Kitchen, Tokyo, JAPAN
Solo Concert of Finnish, Norwegian, Sami & Icelandic Music with own arrangements
Voice Scope, Experimental Vocal Event, HIGHTI, Tokyo JAPAN
Vocal Concert with Ryo-W, William Tokuhisa Kotaro & Akira Sanematsu
Experimental Sound, Art & Performance Festival, Tokyo Wonder Site, JAPAN
Solo Performance 'I Eye I / ai ai ai / 愛愛愛' for Voice, Body & Video
Winter Garden Party, Alta, NORWAY
Solo Video Exhibition, selection of videos from'I Eye I / ai ai ai / 愛愛愛'
2009
Spiral Garden, Tokyo, JAPAN
Suomi Party, celebrating 90 years of diplomatic connection between Finland & Japan
solo vocal performance within Santeri Tuori's exhibition
Dance Triennale Tokyo, SPIRAL, Tokyo, JAPAN
Movement & Sound Improvisation with Eeva Muilu
HIPERSONCA, Sao Paolo, BRAZIL
Experimental Sound Exhibition (vocal composition)
SoundLAB VI - SoundPOOL, Challenge for Imagination (ONLINE/GERMANY)
Experimental Sound Exhibition (vocal composition)
Human Emotions Project, Rome, ITALY
Video Exhibition 'Meditation'
Loop-Line, Tokyo, JAPAN
'Rapid EAR Movements' experimental voice performance event
with Tomomi Adachi & Makoto Matsushima (Pappa Tarahumara)
Art Space Popo, Tokyo, JAPAN
Opening Party, Solo vocal performance
Super Deluxe, Tokyo, JAPAN
Test Tone 44. (monthly experimental music event)
solo vocal performance with a video
AIT (Arts Initiative Tokyo), JAPAN
Performance Talk as a Resident Artist
'Visions for the Waking State' live video performance with live sound,
'Nen Im Hih!' vol.2 a solo performance for voice, body & space, 'In the Flesh I Reside' video presentation
2008
Canal Danse, Paris, FRANCE
'Sono Con CARNE', a duo for two bodies as instruments and visual material, in collaboration with Yasmine Hugonnet
Yokohama Triennale, Ring Dome (by Cho Minsuk & Joseph Grima), Yokohama, JAPAN
a solo performance for voice & electronics
BankART1929 Cafe Live Series, Yokohama, JAPAN
Multimedia performance for two vocalists/movers and video
'Watashino Nakano Anatano Koe - Ääneni Sinussa' (My Voice Within You)
in collaboration with Miki Sugiura
2007
Project Perform, Performance Art Festival, Brakke Grond, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
Video presentation of 'In The Flesh I Reside', solo voice/body/video performance
Media Art Festival Friesland, Leeuwarden, THE NETHERLANDS
Solo Voice/Body/Video Performance 'In The Flesh I Reside'
Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
ArtOlive Jong Talent 2007, Solo Voice/Body/Video Performance and Group Exhibition
Lite Side Festival', Odeon, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
'ColourDance Festival', Muiderpoort Theater, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
Composition and Live Sound Performance for 'Roots and Branches' Dance Performance by Cun Song
KABK (Royal Academy of Arts), The Hague, THE NETHERLANDS
Final Exam Exhibition, Speical Guest: Her HIghness Queen Beatrix of Netherlands
2Kolegas, D22, East Shore Jazz Cafe Beijing, CHINA
Beijing Tour of Experimental Music from Japan, Solo Vocal Performances
NIPAF ( Nippon International Performance Art Festival) Tokyo, Nagoya & Nagano, JAPAN
Performance for voice, body & video
Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts, Tokyo, JAPAN
ZooMedia, Group Exhibition & Solo Voice/Body/Video Performance
Aoi Heya, Shibuya, Tokyo, JAPAN
Experimental Music, Solo Vocal Performance
2006
Super Deluxe, Tokyo, JAPAN
Bend++ (opus 2006) Experimental Music, Solo Vocal Performance
Ginza Apple Store, Tokyo, JAPAN
College Night, Solo Vocal Performance
Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts, Tokyo, JAPAN
'The Digital Inter Connetion IV' Group Exhibition and performance
2005
TENT. Rotterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
'A Place Behind the Sun' - Solo Vocal Performance
W139, Amsterdam THE NETHERLANDS
'A Place Behind The Sun' - Solo Vocal Performance
Expodium, Utrecht, THE NETHERLANDS
Nordic Solo Vocal Performance
Lantaren/Venster, Rotterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
Soloist of The Rotterdam Symphonic Jazz Orchestra
2004
WORM, Rotterdam, THE NETHERLANDSs
Rorschach vol. 8, Group Improvisation Concert
DanceUnlimited,(Masters Program in Choreography),Rotterdam's Dance Academy, THE NETHERLANDS
Composition and Live Sound Perfromance for 'Versatile', Final Project by Yasmine Hugonnet
2003
Lantaren/Venster, Rotterdam,THE NETHERLANDS
Composition and Live Sound Performance for a dance piece 'Organic Memories' by Yasmine Hugonnet
WORM, Rotterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
'Clocks and Clouds' Improvisational BigBand by Mikael Lindqvist & Lars Skoglund
TEACHING
2009 - ongoing
'Voicing Your Body' - Workshops for Voice & Movement Awareness and Improvisation
JAPAN: Tokyo (AIT, Tokyo Zokei University) Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka (Studio Kura), FRANCE: Paris (Canal Danse), Marseille, THE NETHERLANDS: Amsterdam (OT301), Rotterdam, NORWAY: Alta (Høgskolen i Finnmark), SWEDEN: Haparanda (SVEFI), FINLAND: Oulu (Valve)
OTHERS
2005
Rotterdam International Filmfestival, Expo Murmur, TENT. Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Assisting Thierry Madiot to perform 'Massage Sonores' (Individual Sonic Massages)
2002
Beaivvas Sami National Theater, Kautokeino, Norway
Studio vocalist and co-composer for 'Ronja Rievvarnieida' with Klemet Anders Buljo
2000
YLE (Finnish National Broadcasting Company)
Radio Documentary about Ghanian music and traditional way of life
'Kolmella eri nopeudella' ( 'On Three Different Rhythms ') Recording, Editing & Directing Meri Nikula
1999
YLE (Finnish National Broadcasting Company)
Radio Documentary about an ecologically oriented commune
'Verhottomat ikkunat', ('Windows Without Curtains') Recording, Editing & Directing Meri Nikula
1992 - 1993
Kemin Kaupungingteatteri (Kemi Municipal Theater), Finland
Actress in the musical 'Little Orphan Annie'
1990 - 1993
Performer in Finnish-Swedish Experimental Performance group
(director Pia Suonvieri)
Art Triennal"Shamanism in Art', Tornio - Kemi - Haparanda, Finland & Sweden
Nordic Theater Festival, Rovaniemi, Finland
ARTISTIC EDUCATION
2003-2007
Royal Academy of Arts & Royal Conservatory of Den Haag, The Netherlands
Interfaculty Sound and Image/Art Science
2006-2007
Tokyo Zokei Universty, Tokyo, Japan
Media Design (exchange)
2001-2003
Rotterdam's Conservatory, Rotterdam The Netherlands
Jazz Vocals, minor in Indian Classical Music
2000-2001
Helsinki University, FInland
Ethnomusicology
1999-2001
Jazz and World Music, Sibelius Academy (the 'free' academy), Helsinki Finland
1999 (Spring)
Odehe Center, Accra, Ghana West-Africa
Ghanian Music (drumming, dancing and singing)
1998 (Autumn)
Oriveden Opisto, Orivesi Finland
Jazz, Classical, Brazilian, Balkan and other World Musics on Voice and Flute
1997-1998
Voss Folkehøyskole, Voss Norway
Jazz and Norwegian Folk Music
RESIDENCIES
2013
WEAVE Arts Residency, Brussels, BELGIUM
2010
New Art Contact, HIAP, Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland
Creator in Residence, Tokyo Wonder Site, Japan
2009
Artist in Residence, AIT (Arts Initiative Tokyo), Japan
Artist in Residence, Studio KURA, Fukuoka, Japan
ART PRIZES
2010
Tokyo Wonder Site, Experimental Sound, Art & Performance Festival
Encouragement prize for solo piece ' I Eye I / ai ai ai / 愛愛愛' - Performance for Voice, Body & Video
2007
Jonge Talent 2007, ArtOlive, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Nominated for the best of the selected 36 graduate students of art academies in the Netherlands
Rene Coelho Prijs, Montevideo Time Based Arts, Amsterdam The Netherlands
Nominated for the best of the art graduates with multimedia works in the Netherlands
PUBLICATIONS
2013
UNMONUMENTAL - Art of Christopher Jones
Article for a book about my experience in performing with the exhibition by Christopher Jones
in a traditional silo used as an exhibition space at Studio KURA, Fukuoka, Japan
2010
ESITYS - Magazine published by Research Centre for Reality
Article of my experiences in Japan as an artist
2009
KOIVU - The Finnish Institute in Japan Magazine
Featured article in Japanese & English
2009
Test Tone 50th Anniversary Compilation CD, Released in Tokyo, Japan
Solo vocal performance, recorded live
Vocal Artist, Composer, Performer, Transformational Healer
PERFORMANCES
2019
Kumma Puutarha, Environmental Art Exhibition, Rovaniemi, FINLAND
‘Juurilla’ solo performance at the opening of the exhibition
Vaattunkikönkään Kulttuurin Kinttupolku, Art Walk, Rovaniemi, FINLAND
‘Spirit of the River’ solo performance by the water in nature
Precious Balance Walk, Malmö, SWEDEN
Performance film shoot with an international team for an Art Film
Päiväntanssit XVIII, Kokko 1721, Kangasniemi, FINLAND
Breathing Earth, solo performance (premiere)
The Spirit of Winter, Haparanda/Tornio, SWEDEN/FINLAND
Solo performance for the New Year’s Celebration on the border for 5000 guests
2018
Kveenit - Kainulaisten Jäljilä, Gallery Jieris, Muonio, FINLAND
Sound installation for a group exhibition.
Luonnollisesti - Naturally, Gallery Pentik, Posio, FINLAND
Opening performance Juurilla for an exhibition by Lapin Taiteilijaseura
Iroiro-ii, BorderPride 2018, Tornio FINLAND
Outdoors interactive performance with children for the with Titta Court (dance) & Meri Nikula (sounds, voice & performance)
Oranki Konkarit, Willa Korva, Kolari, FINLAND
Opening performance for an exhibition.
KVEN Connection, Arktikum, Rovaniemi, FINLAND & Varangermuseum, NORWAY
Group exhibition: sound installation.
Art Ii Biennial, States of Matter, Ii, FINLAND
Bottled Water Exports: 9 participatory artistic acts with Ignacio Perez Perez (Venezuela)
Exhibition with Gallery Syster (Luleå, Sweden) in GlogauAIR, Berlin, GERMANY
Solo performance Whipped (s)Cream by Meri Nikula, Costume: Hanna Kanto
TALKING NYMPHS at Lofoten Islands, NORWAY
Solo concert with a natural echo of the mountains. Organiser: Ny Musikk Nordland.
2017
Den Mystiska Kvinnan, Haparanda, SWEDEN
Artistic director for a project with the art & design students from Svefi.
The Museum of Torne Valley, Tornio, FINLAND
Solo Vocals for a video at the Opening Ceremony to Celebrate Finland, 100 Years
Opening Performance at Västerbottens Museum, Umeå, SWEDEN
Solo performance with kantele and giant birds nest
Opening Performance at Kakslauttanen, Saariselkä, FINLAND
Solo performance Louhetar from Kalevala, sculptural dress by Essi Korva.
Täydenkuun Konsertti, Viiankiaapa Nature Reserve, Sodankylä, FINLAND
Sound installation for a group exhibition and a live performance at the opening.
Kven Connection, Vadsø, NORWAY
Sound installation for a group exhibition and a live performance at the opening.
Raga and the Voices of the Northern Lights, Pardes Hannah, ISRAEL
Concert with Israeli musicians Ofra Avni (bansuri flute), Ram Hadar (tabla) and Itzik Yona (guitar)
Arctic Waters, Lapin Keskussairaala, Rovaniemi, FINLAND
Vellamon Ilmestys (Performance: Meri Nikula, costume: Essi Korva) & opening of a mural by Paula Suominen
Ars Kärsämäki, Kärsämäki, FINLAND
Vellamon Ilmestys (Performance: Meri Nikula, costume: Essi Korva)
CROWMAN, Spring Dance Festival Tour in Wuxi, Nanjing & Shangzhuo, CHINA
Original live music for a dance piece by Groundbreakers (The Netherlands) and Wuxi Dance Company (China)
Kalevala Absurdic, Galleria Jala, Haparanda, SWEDEN
Performance with sculptural costumes and live music by Essi Korva (costumes), Hanna Kanto (concept) and Meri Nikula (music)
2016
DanseFestival Barents, Hammerfest, NORWAY
Performance: DOMESTRIX (premiere!),VOCAL MOSAIC, solo concert
ÄÄNIÄ MUUALTA - Nordic Soundscapes, Oulu, FINLAND
Solo Concert and a Seminar Presentation (Global World Music)
Vocal Mosaic, Casa Lucia, Corfu, GREECE
Solo Concert outdoors
Meditative Concert, Paris, FRANCE
Vocal Healing Journey (solo) at Kalari 7, Bastille
'Risulinnun Siiven Alla', Muonio Library, Muonio, FINLAND
Solo Performance based on the twig art by Anita Silenius
Beam of Light, Oulu Museum of Art (OMA), Oulu, FINLAND
'Cosmic Radio' (solo), at the opening of Hanna Kanto's Exhibition
LYDRØRT, Lofoten, NORWAY
Solo Concert, 'Vocal Mosaic'
WORM, Rotterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
Solo Performance, 'Survival of the Fittest'
ZONDER STROOM, (by Extrapool) at De Kleine Wiel, Nijmegen, THE NETHERLANDS
Solo Acoustic Concert
2015
DanseFestival Barents, Hammerfest, NORWAY
Solo Performance ‘Survival of the Fittest’
Alla Breve, Radio France, Paris, FRANCE
Radio performance of a collaboration between Diego Losa (GRM) and Meri Nikula
KalottJazz&Blues Exhibition, Aineen Taidemuseo, Tornio, FINLAND
Solo Vocal Performance at opening of the exhibition by Hanna Kanto & Essi Korva
Esitystaiteen Markkinat, Zodiak, Helsinki, FINLAND
Performance Festival, Solo Performance 'Survival of the Fittest'
(Maternity Leave)
2014
Global Container at Sleeping Beauty Castle, Tallinn, ESTONIA
Performance Festival, Solo Performance 'Survival of the Fittest'
Tableaux Intérieurs, Galerie Andiamo, Marseille, FRANCE
Performance Event and Concert with with Léa Canu Ginoux (dance/choreography) and Meri Nikula (voice/performance)
(The Birth of my Daughter, Hammerfest, NORWAY)
Mimi Hilda Indigo Nikula saw the light of day for the first time
2013
URPLEX at European Festival of the Night, Korpilombolo, SWEDEN
Icy Outdoors Concert for Voice, Video, Live Electronics and the four states of water with Lisa Stenberg (live electronics), Meri Nikula (voice & video)
URPLEX at Arctic Studios, Kautokeino, NORWAY
Icy Outdoors Concert for Voice, Video, Live Electronics and the four states of water with Lisa Stenberg (live electronics), Meri Nikula (voice & video)
Dimanche Rouge, Performance Festival, Helsinki, FINLAND
Solo Performance 'Survival of the Fittest' at Kauppakeskus Kamppi and Helsinki City Art Museum
Duo Soirée at Divine Madness, Marseille, FRANCE
Vocal improvisation with the 'Ritual' by Léa Canu Ginoux (dance), Solo performance RED
Esitystaiteen Markkinat, Zodiak (Kaapelitehdas) Helsinki, FINLAND
Solo Performance RED
HAPARATOR Electronic Music Festival, Haparanda, SWEDEN
URPLEX, pre-premiere of a new performance for voice, video, live electronics and ice in collaboration with Lisa Stenberg
SCH (Sleeper Hallucination Camping), FLOAT, Osaka, JAPAN
Online Live Performance with Video - with Trever Hagen (trumpet)
Lagrotta, Haparanda, Sweden
Vocal Mosaic - Solo Concert
Urban Primitives, URBANGUILD, Kyoto, JAPAN
Dance & Performance event
Miniatures vol. 20, MIIT House, Osaka, JAPAN
Sound & Performance event
Song x Voice, Kissa Sakaiki, Tokyo, JAPAN
Concert with Pearl Alexander (double bass) & Workshop (Voicing Your Body)
Unmonumental, Studio Kura, Fukuoka, JAPAN
Vocal Mosaic at an opening exhibition of Christopher Jones
Summer Sky Sound, Cafe Sarunpowaku, Osaka, JAPAN
Music, Performance & Aerial Acrobatics
Improvised Music, Cafe Muriwui, Tokyo, JAPAN
Morishige Yasumune (cello) Scott Jordan & Ryo Nakamura (koto), Meri Nikula (voice)
2012
'SkinIce' - Performance with frozen clothes, Haparanda/Tornio, SWEDEN/FINLAND
New Year's collaboration project on the border with: Titta Court, Lisa Stenberg, Eric Mutel, Marju Matsin & Meri Nikula
'Dimanche Rouge' -Performance Festival, Tallinn, ESTONIA
Solo Performance RED at Cultural Factory Polymer and KUMU Art Museum
Arctic Studios Kulturscene, Kautokeino, NORWAY
Two solo performances (voice, movement & video): RED & I Eye I
'Into The Great Wide Open' -Festival, Vlieland, THE NETHERLANDS
Project Musicaerial, an inter-disciplinary project for kites, sensors, sound & performance
Performing two pieces: 'I Talk To The Wind' by Dyane Donck (composition for voice & kite/wind)
'Windkracht 3' with Meri (voice & performance), Nico Huijbregts (piano), Frouke Wiarda (kite/wind)
Gaudeamus Muziekweek, Utrecht, THE NETHERLANDS
MUSICAERIAL, project by Frouke Wiarda for 10 kites, 10 compositions, performance & sound installations
'I Talk To The Wind' composition by Dyane Donck: voice (Meri Nikula) & kite/wind
'Windkracht 3' performanced by Meri Nikula (voice & movement), Nico Huijbregts (piano), Frouke Wiarda (kite/wind)
Sami Eastern Festival, Kautokeino, NORWAY
'World Of Voices' Concert: Meri Nikula (vocal solo) and Niko Valkeapää (voice) & Per Willy Aaserud (Trumpet & Electronics)
AbstrActions, Performance Event, Lagrotta, Haparanda, SWEDEN
Three women alone and together, with voices, bodies and improvised sound
with Yessiqa Lövbrand (dance & performance), Lisa Stenberg (sound & performance) & Meri Nikula (voice & performance)
The Vondelbunker, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
De Weerzin: evening of poetry, performances, installation art and music. Meri Nikula (vocal solo)
HARU by Hija Bastarda, Closing Party at Tokyo Wonder Site ,Hongo, JAPAN
Hiroki Hirota, Japan, Luis Carneiro, Portugal, Gui Castor, Brazil, Tomas Opinião, Portugal & friends
Live Video Installation & Live Voice by Meri Nikula
Well/Well/Not-at-All, Three Solo Performances, Esorabako, Shinjuku, Tokyo, JAPAN
Solos by Alexandra Cardenas, guitar (Mexico), Jake Harper, piano (New York), Meri Nikula, voice (Finland)
Jazz Spot Candy, Chiba, JAPAN
Astral Fruits Live: Josh Hume (self-made instruments) & Meri Nikula (voice)
Time After Time, Tokyo (Hirai), JAPAN
Vocal Duos: William Kotaro Tokuhisa & Meri Nikula
Midsummer Night's Dream, HIGHTI, Tokyo, JAPAN
Electro-Acoustic Live Surround System of Sounds: Nobunaga Ken (percussion), Chie Mukai (er-hu, voice, dance), Ryo (koto),
Takeshi (psaltery), Josh (self-made instruments), Rarufu (jew's harp), Meri (voice)
Velvet Moon, Performance Night, Urbanguild, Kyoto, JAPAN
Solo Vocal Performance
2011
Tokyo Opera City Recital Hall, TOKYO, Japan
Yori-Aki Matsudaira's 'What's Next?' for soprano and 2 noise makers.
Jazz Spot Candy, CHIBA, Japan
Astral Fruits (Meri Nikula, Voice/Joshua Hume, DIY Instruments)
MIIT House, OSAKA, Japan
Miniatures, Dance & Sound Event
Live Music & Dance Party at Pool, TOKYO, Japan
dDamage & 2080, Astral Fruits (Meri Nikula, Voice/Joshua Hume, DIY Instruments)
Experimental Music at Hidden Agenda, HONG KONG
HanallicaMotayo (Tokyo/Berlin), Meri Nikula (Tokyo/Finland), Wilmer Ongsitco Chan (HK)
IKRA Dance and Performance Art Festival, Haparanda/Tornio, SWEDEN/FINLAND
Two Solo Performances (voice, movement & video): I Eye I and RED
Solo Soiree, Canal Danse, Paris, FRANCE
Two Solo Performances (voice, movement & video): I Eye I and RED
Cinema Oblo, Lausanne, SWITZERLAND
Magouf Festival, Solo Performance RED
OT301, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
GARBE DIEM - Duet with Maria Mavridou and Meri Nikula &
Solo Performance RED
Het Poortgebouw, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
OORSPRONG Curators Series:
Manuela Tessi (dance), Sandra Pujols (dance/voice), Makiko Ito (dance), Yedo Gibson (Sax), Meri Nikula (voice/movement)
K77 Studio, Berlin, GERMANY
Voices of the World Solo Vocal Concert
Sucked Orange Galerie, Berlin, GERMANY
RED & I Eye I: Solo Performances by Meri Nikula
Urbanguild, Kyoto, JAPAN
Sound & Movement Event, Solo RED
Common Cafe, Osaka, JAPAN
Sound & Movement Event, Solo RED
W x W x W, LoopLine, Tokyo, JAPAN
Sound & Movement Event with Mingo Kazumi and Yangjah
Experimental Sound, Art & Performance Festival, Tokyo Wonder Site, JAPAN
Award Winner's Performance, TRILOGY: Human Conditions
In The Flesh I Reside (video presentation), I Eye I / ai ai ai / 愛愛愛' and RED
2010
I Eye I Solo, NK, Berlin, GERMANY
Solo Event at Neukölln, Berlin
Duets Night, OT301, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
Dance & Music Event, Duet with Maria Mavriodu
Light & Shadows, HIGHTI, Tokyo, JAPAN
Experimental Shadow Theater & Live Music Event with Tomomi Adachi, Lead Sister II (self-made instruments)
Nordic Voices, Hasuhachi Kitchen, Tokyo, JAPAN
Solo Concert of Finnish, Norwegian, Sami & Icelandic Music with own arrangements
Voice Scope, Experimental Vocal Event, HIGHTI, Tokyo JAPAN
Vocal Concert with Ryo-W, William Tokuhisa Kotaro & Akira Sanematsu
Experimental Sound, Art & Performance Festival, Tokyo Wonder Site, JAPAN
Solo Performance 'I Eye I / ai ai ai / 愛愛愛' for Voice, Body & Video
Winter Garden Party, Alta, NORWAY
Solo Video Exhibition, selection of videos from'I Eye I / ai ai ai / 愛愛愛'
2009
Spiral Garden, Tokyo, JAPAN
Suomi Party, celebrating 90 years of diplomatic connection between Finland & Japan
solo vocal performance within Santeri Tuori's exhibition
Dance Triennale Tokyo, SPIRAL, Tokyo, JAPAN
Movement & Sound Improvisation with Eeva Muilu
HIPERSONCA, Sao Paolo, BRAZIL
Experimental Sound Exhibition (vocal composition)
SoundLAB VI - SoundPOOL, Challenge for Imagination (ONLINE/GERMANY)
Experimental Sound Exhibition (vocal composition)
Human Emotions Project, Rome, ITALY
Video Exhibition 'Meditation'
Loop-Line, Tokyo, JAPAN
'Rapid EAR Movements' experimental voice performance event
with Tomomi Adachi & Makoto Matsushima (Pappa Tarahumara)
Art Space Popo, Tokyo, JAPAN
Opening Party, Solo vocal performance
Super Deluxe, Tokyo, JAPAN
Test Tone 44. (monthly experimental music event)
solo vocal performance with a video
AIT (Arts Initiative Tokyo), JAPAN
Performance Talk as a Resident Artist
'Visions for the Waking State' live video performance with live sound,
'Nen Im Hih!' vol.2 a solo performance for voice, body & space, 'In the Flesh I Reside' video presentation
2008
Canal Danse, Paris, FRANCE
'Sono Con CARNE', a duo for two bodies as instruments and visual material, in collaboration with Yasmine Hugonnet
Yokohama Triennale, Ring Dome (by Cho Minsuk & Joseph Grima), Yokohama, JAPAN
a solo performance for voice & electronics
BankART1929 Cafe Live Series, Yokohama, JAPAN
Multimedia performance for two vocalists/movers and video
'Watashino Nakano Anatano Koe - Ääneni Sinussa' (My Voice Within You)
in collaboration with Miki Sugiura
2007
Project Perform, Performance Art Festival, Brakke Grond, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
Video presentation of 'In The Flesh I Reside', solo voice/body/video performance
Media Art Festival Friesland, Leeuwarden, THE NETHERLANDS
Solo Voice/Body/Video Performance 'In The Flesh I Reside'
Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
ArtOlive Jong Talent 2007, Solo Voice/Body/Video Performance and Group Exhibition
Lite Side Festival', Odeon, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
'ColourDance Festival', Muiderpoort Theater, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
Composition and Live Sound Performance for 'Roots and Branches' Dance Performance by Cun Song
KABK (Royal Academy of Arts), The Hague, THE NETHERLANDS
Final Exam Exhibition, Speical Guest: Her HIghness Queen Beatrix of Netherlands
2Kolegas, D22, East Shore Jazz Cafe Beijing, CHINA
Beijing Tour of Experimental Music from Japan, Solo Vocal Performances
NIPAF ( Nippon International Performance Art Festival) Tokyo, Nagoya & Nagano, JAPAN
Performance for voice, body & video
Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts, Tokyo, JAPAN
ZooMedia, Group Exhibition & Solo Voice/Body/Video Performance
Aoi Heya, Shibuya, Tokyo, JAPAN
Experimental Music, Solo Vocal Performance
2006
Super Deluxe, Tokyo, JAPAN
Bend++ (opus 2006) Experimental Music, Solo Vocal Performance
Ginza Apple Store, Tokyo, JAPAN
College Night, Solo Vocal Performance
Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts, Tokyo, JAPAN
'The Digital Inter Connetion IV' Group Exhibition and performance
2005
TENT. Rotterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
'A Place Behind the Sun' - Solo Vocal Performance
W139, Amsterdam THE NETHERLANDS
'A Place Behind The Sun' - Solo Vocal Performance
Expodium, Utrecht, THE NETHERLANDS
Nordic Solo Vocal Performance
Lantaren/Venster, Rotterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
Soloist of The Rotterdam Symphonic Jazz Orchestra
2004
WORM, Rotterdam, THE NETHERLANDSs
Rorschach vol. 8, Group Improvisation Concert
DanceUnlimited,(Masters Program in Choreography),Rotterdam's Dance Academy, THE NETHERLANDS
Composition and Live Sound Perfromance for 'Versatile', Final Project by Yasmine Hugonnet
2003
Lantaren/Venster, Rotterdam,THE NETHERLANDS
Composition and Live Sound Performance for a dance piece 'Organic Memories' by Yasmine Hugonnet
WORM, Rotterdam, THE NETHERLANDS
'Clocks and Clouds' Improvisational BigBand by Mikael Lindqvist & Lars Skoglund
TEACHING
2009 - ongoing
'Voicing Your Body' - Workshops for Voice & Movement Awareness and Improvisation
JAPAN: Tokyo (AIT, Tokyo Zokei University) Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka (Studio Kura), FRANCE: Paris (Canal Danse), Marseille, THE NETHERLANDS: Amsterdam (OT301), Rotterdam, NORWAY: Alta (Høgskolen i Finnmark), SWEDEN: Haparanda (SVEFI), FINLAND: Oulu (Valve)
OTHERS
2005
Rotterdam International Filmfestival, Expo Murmur, TENT. Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Assisting Thierry Madiot to perform 'Massage Sonores' (Individual Sonic Massages)
2002
Beaivvas Sami National Theater, Kautokeino, Norway
Studio vocalist and co-composer for 'Ronja Rievvarnieida' with Klemet Anders Buljo
2000
YLE (Finnish National Broadcasting Company)
Radio Documentary about Ghanian music and traditional way of life
'Kolmella eri nopeudella' ( 'On Three Different Rhythms ') Recording, Editing & Directing Meri Nikula
1999
YLE (Finnish National Broadcasting Company)
Radio Documentary about an ecologically oriented commune
'Verhottomat ikkunat', ('Windows Without Curtains') Recording, Editing & Directing Meri Nikula
1992 - 1993
Kemin Kaupungingteatteri (Kemi Municipal Theater), Finland
Actress in the musical 'Little Orphan Annie'
1990 - 1993
Performer in Finnish-Swedish Experimental Performance group
(director Pia Suonvieri)
Art Triennal"Shamanism in Art', Tornio - Kemi - Haparanda, Finland & Sweden
Nordic Theater Festival, Rovaniemi, Finland
ARTISTIC EDUCATION
2003-2007
Royal Academy of Arts & Royal Conservatory of Den Haag, The Netherlands
Interfaculty Sound and Image/Art Science
2006-2007
Tokyo Zokei Universty, Tokyo, Japan
Media Design (exchange)
2001-2003
Rotterdam's Conservatory, Rotterdam The Netherlands
Jazz Vocals, minor in Indian Classical Music
2000-2001
Helsinki University, FInland
Ethnomusicology
1999-2001
Jazz and World Music, Sibelius Academy (the 'free' academy), Helsinki Finland
1999 (Spring)
Odehe Center, Accra, Ghana West-Africa
Ghanian Music (drumming, dancing and singing)
1998 (Autumn)
Oriveden Opisto, Orivesi Finland
Jazz, Classical, Brazilian, Balkan and other World Musics on Voice and Flute
1997-1998
Voss Folkehøyskole, Voss Norway
Jazz and Norwegian Folk Music
RESIDENCIES
2013
WEAVE Arts Residency, Brussels, BELGIUM
2010
New Art Contact, HIAP, Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland
Creator in Residence, Tokyo Wonder Site, Japan
2009
Artist in Residence, AIT (Arts Initiative Tokyo), Japan
Artist in Residence, Studio KURA, Fukuoka, Japan
ART PRIZES
2010
Tokyo Wonder Site, Experimental Sound, Art & Performance Festival
Encouragement prize for solo piece ' I Eye I / ai ai ai / 愛愛愛' - Performance for Voice, Body & Video
2007
Jonge Talent 2007, ArtOlive, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Nominated for the best of the selected 36 graduate students of art academies in the Netherlands
Rene Coelho Prijs, Montevideo Time Based Arts, Amsterdam The Netherlands
Nominated for the best of the art graduates with multimedia works in the Netherlands
PUBLICATIONS
2013
UNMONUMENTAL - Art of Christopher Jones
Article for a book about my experience in performing with the exhibition by Christopher Jones
in a traditional silo used as an exhibition space at Studio KURA, Fukuoka, Japan
2010
ESITYS - Magazine published by Research Centre for Reality
Article of my experiences in Japan as an artist
2009
KOIVU - The Finnish Institute in Japan Magazine
Featured article in Japanese & English
2009
Test Tone 50th Anniversary Compilation CD, Released in Tokyo, Japan
Solo vocal performance, recorded live