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CV

Meri Nikula

www.merinikula.com

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Selected Performances and Exhibitions

2022

Levi World Cup, FINLAND
Singing and performing as a Winter Fairy Queen on the Lapland Avenue
Aurora Future Event, YLE, Levi, FINLAND
Singing and performing as a Winter Fairy Queen during the event
SWAN (Swedish Artist in Residence Network) conference,Moskosel, SWEDEN
Singing and performing as a Winter Fairy Queen

Konstrundan, Tornio FINLAND

Ceremonial Performance ‘Ritual of the Bear’ in collaboration with Helena Junttila’s art

Exhibition Opening, Arktikum, Rovaniemi, FINLAND

Solo Performance Juurilla

Solekko Festit, Kittilä, FINLAND

Ritual Performance On the Living Earth, as a Mentoring Artist for The University of Lapland

Yoga Retreat, Cape East, SWEDEN

Sound Healing Solo Concert 

Festiva Magica, Karjalohja, FINLAND

Sound Healing Solo Concert

Arctic Design Week, Rovaniemi, FINLAND

Group Exhibition and Sound Healing Solo Concert

Tuulessa - In The Wind, The Arctic University in Norway, Tromsø, NORWAY

Sound Art Piece in collaboration with a sculpture by Maija-Liisa Björklund

Precious Balance Walk, Art Film, SWEDEN / GLOBAL

Multiple Award Winning Performance Art Film touring festivals all over the world

 

2021

Haparator, Sound Festival, Haparanda, SWEDEN

The Siren - Vocal Performance

Riksteatern: Room X, Àjtte museum, Jokkmokk, SWEDEN

Virtual Reality (VR) installation: Technic: Goncalo R Marques, Performance & Directing: Linda Remahl, Filming: Kasia Baranowska, Music composition: Tristan Shorr, Voice: Meri Nikula

Konstrundan 2021, Valon Lähde, FINLAND

Touch of the Golden Sun - Ritual Performance

Moskosel Creative Lab, Arvidsjaur, SWEDEN

Touch of the Golden Sun - Ritual Performance

Vaaran Värähtelyä Art Walk, Rovaniemi Culture Week, FINLAND

Touch of the Golden Sun - Ritual Performance

TaPaMa (Art Based Services for Tourism), University of Lapland, FINLAND

The Siren of Sea Lapland, video & live performance, Group Exhibition

Lyden av Skallelv, Kven Art Biennial, Skallelv, NORWAY

Live Vocal Improvisation as the festival artist for 2023

 

2020

World Environment Day - Exploration Into Possible Futures Seminar (Taike) FINLAND

Online Performance: Migratory Birds

Punkaharju Art Up, FINLAND

Solo Performance: Kunnes Syntymä Meidät Erottaa (’til Birth Do Us Part)

The Day of Finnish Arts, Särestöniemi, FINLAND

Animated Painting (sound & video) of Taivaanjaara Soittaa huilua by Reidar Särestöniemi 

The Siren of Sea Lapland, Bothnian Bay National Park, FINLAND

Sailing with the audience, Performative Concert as a Siren

Galleria Hämärä, The University of Lapland, FINLAND

Video Performance: The Womb Song, Group Exhibition: Exploration Into Possible Futures. 

Exploration Into Possible Futures, Taike, FINLAND

Online Video Performance: The Womb Song

Helsinki Artist’s Association: Taidelainaamo 25 year’s Celebration, FINLAND

Solo Performance: Ilon Sietämätön Keveys (The Unbearable Lightness of Joy)

 

2019

European Festival of the Night, Korpilombolo, SWEDEN

Breathing Earth, solo performance

Days of Sweden, Cultural Palace, Murmansk, RUSSIA

Breathing Earth, solo performance and Solo Vocal Performance 

Veden Muisti, Exhibition opening of Paula Suominen, Galleria Napa, Rovaniemi, FINLAND

‘Vereni Muisti’ (Memory of my Blood) Solo Performance for the opening

Arte & Bienestar, Instit. Iberoamericano De Finlandia, Madrid, SPAIN

Solo Vocal Performance

Maan Hengitys, Korundi, Rovaniemen Taidemuseo, Rovaniemi, FINLAND 

Solo Performance at Kaija Kiuru’s Exhibition

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

Award Winning Performance 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, Aine Art Museum, Tornio FINLAND

Outdoors performance for children with Titta Court (dance) for BorderPride 2018

Spirit of the River, Kukkolaforsen, SWEDEN

Performance for100 traditional fishermen and women from around the world

Oranki Konkarit, Willa Korva, Kolari, FINLAND

Opening performance for an exhibition. 

KVEN Connection, Arktikum, Rovaniemi, FINLAND

Group exhibition: sound installation

KVEN Connection, 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) and Kate Gane (Australia)

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: Finland 100 years, 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 Art Gallery Kakslauttanen, Saariselkä, FINLAND

Solo performance Louhetar inspired by Kalevala, sculptural dress by Essi Korva.

Täydenkuun Konsertti, Viiankiaapa Nature Reserve, Sodankylä, FINLAND

Outdoors Solo Concert in the Full Moon 

Kven Connection, Ruija Kvenmuseum, Vadsø, NORWAY

Exhibition: sound installation & opening performance.

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 for the opening of a mural by Paula Suominen. Costume: Essi Korva.

Ars Kärsämäki - Summer Exhibition, Kärsämäki, FINLAND

‘Vellamon Ilmestys’ performance. Costume: Essi Korva & Sound/Photo Installation

CROWMAN- Spring Dance Festival Tour in Wuxi, Nanjing & Shangzhuo, CHINA

Music for a dance piece by Groundbreakers, The Netherlands & Wuxi Dance Company

Kalevala Absurdic - Galleria Jala, Haparanda, SWEDEN

Sculptural Performance by Essi Korva, Hanna Kanto & Meri Nikula

 

2016

DanseFestival Barents, Hammerfest, NORWAY

Performance: Domestrix & Solo Concert: Vocal Mosaic

ÄÄNIÄ MUUALTA - Nordic Soundscapes, Oulu, FINLAND

Solo Concert and a Seminar Presentation (Global World Music)

Vocal Mosaic, Casa Lucia, Corfu, GREECE

Solo Outdoors Concert

Meditative Concert,  Kalari 7, Paris, FRANCE

Vocal Healing Journey

'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 vocal performance 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) 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'

 

 

2014

Global Container at Sleeping Beauty Castle, Tallinn, ESTONIA

Performance Festival, Solo Performance 'Survival of the Fittest'

Tableaux Intérieurs, Galerie Andiamo, Marseille, FRANCE

Event with Léa Canu Ginoux (dance/choreography) & Meri Nikula (voice/performance)

 

(The Birth of my Daughter)

 

2013

URPLEX at European Festival of the Night, Korpilombolo, SWEDEN

Icy Outdoors Concert with Lisa Stenberg (live electronics), Meri Nikula (voice & video)

URPLEX at Arctic Studios, Kautokeino, NORWAY

Icy Outdoors Concert with Lisa Stenberg (live electronics), Meri Nikula (voice & video)

Dimanche Rouge, Performance Festival, Helsinki, FINLAND

Solo Performance 'Survival of the Fittest' at Kauppakeskus Kamppi & 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 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

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 event 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

Gaudeamus Muziekweek, Utrecht, THE NETHERLANDS

- Project Musicaerial, an inter-disciplinary project for kites, sensors, sound & performance

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

Yessiqa Lövbrand (dance), Lisa Stenberg (sound) & Meri Nikula (voice & performance)

The Vondelbunker, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS

Evening of poetry, performances, installation art and music. Meri Nikula (vocal solo)

HARU by Hija Bastarda, Closing Party at Tokyo Wonder Site, Hongo, JAPAN

Live Video Installation & Voice

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

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    

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 

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

 

 

Teaching

 

2009 - ongoing

'Voicing Your Body' - Workshops for Voice & Movement Awareness and Improvisation 

 

 

Artistic Education

 

2003-2007  Bachelor of Arts     

Royal Academy of Arts & Royal Conservatory of Den Haag, The Netherlands

Interfaculty Sound and Image/Art Science

 

2006-2007  

Tokyo Zokei University, Tokyo, Japan

Media Design / free curriculum / exchange student

 

2001-2003             

Rotterdam's Conservatory, Rotterdam The Netherlands

Jazz Vocals, minor in Indian Classical Music and Brazilian Music

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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   

 

2016

Kven Connection, Vadsø, NORWAY

 

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

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