ÉLIXIR DE MER
Élixir de Mer invites the audience into a corporeal ritual where experiences of different senses interlace into a physical tapestry.
The work draws inspiration from the sense of smell and its ability to awaken embodied memories, as well as from the refined techniques of perfume-making—the ritualistic devotion of extracting elixirs.
Perfumes were already used in ancient Egypt for seduction and as symbols of power. Scents also offered a means to connect with divine figures, opening communication between heaven and earth. Beyond pleasure, the sense of smell carries social taboos, for the experience of scent brings another body close; it opens a space of shared intimacy.
In our world dominated by sight, the physicality of odors tunes our bodies to vibrate, and Élixir de Mer explores their resonance through dance, sound, and space. It seeks the layered harmonies of scents that remain within us for weeks, months, years.
Élixir de Mer is the fourth part of choreographer Johanna Nuutinen’s series of works exploring the senses.
Organizer: Johanna Nuutinen +Collaborators
A few carefully selected scents are used in the performance. Please arrive fragrance-free.
PRESS
“Johanna Nuutinen +Collaborators have created their most beautiful and moving piece.”
“The extraordinarily beautiful Élixir de Mer is an invitation to an honest and comforting ceremony of ending and letting go.”
“Exceptional dancers Manon Andral and Clémentine Herveux.”
“Élixir de Mer is a carefully crafted whole that flows organically between tenderness and harshness.”
“Élixir de Mer culminates in a synthesis of choreography, dance, light, sound, costume, and the senses.”
“It is a gift that Johanna Nuutinen and her team are the ones bringing scent back into dance. Élixir de Mer is the fourth — and finest — part of Nuutinen’s series exploring the senses.”
“Élixir de Mer feels alive, immediate, and powerful. Everything falls into place — even the silences, pauses, and pacing — thanks to the work of dramaturg Riikka Laakso.”
“Composer and sound designer Ville Kabrell’s endlessly fascinating soundscape could easily be enjoyed with your eyes closed — but it’s not worth it. You need to witness how Lauri Lundahl’s magical lighting slices through and transforms the majestic hall.”
Henna Raatikainen, HS, 26.9.2025
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
“Absolutely incredible performance! You’ve got to see it!”
“I rarely recommend anything, but this time I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it — big time and with full conviction!”
“This was damn amazing! Highly recommended!”
“I recommend it with great passion!”
“A powerful, all-encompassing experience!”
“A truly stunning and inventive production!”
“An unprecedented fusion of scent and dance! An insanely visionary creative team!”
“Absolutely mind-blowing!”
“One of the most powerful dance performances ever!”
PERFORMANCES
Thu 25.9. | 18:00 (premiere)
Fri 26.9. | 14:00 & 18:00
Sat 27.9. | 14:00 & 18:00
Duration: approximately 1h 10 min.
VENUE
Pannu hall, Dance House Helsinki
Kaapeliaukio 3, 00180 Helsinki
More info about the venue: https://www.tanssintalo.fi/en/info
CREATIVE TEAM
DIRECTOR:
Johanna Nuutinen
DANCERS:
Clémentine Herveux, Manon Andral
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Johanna Nuutinen in collaboration with Clémentine Herveux, Manon Andral
DRAMATURG:
Riikka Laakso
SOUND DESIGNER AND COMPOSER:
Ville Kabrell
LIGHT DESIGNER AND TECHNICAL PRODUCER:
Lauri Lundahl
SPATIAL DESIGERS:
Johanna Nuutinen, Lauri Lundahl
SCENTS PROVIDED BY:
Eero Niskanen / Sevende Aromas
PRODUCERS:
Aurora Millasnoore, Johanna Nuutinen
PRODUCTION:
Johanna Nuutinen +Collaborators
PROMO PICTURES:
Maisa Immonen
PERFORMANCE PICTURES:
Kai Kuusisto
PERFORMANCE TRAILER:
Teemu Kyytinen
SUPPORTERS
Arts Promotion Centre Finland
City of Helsinki
Finnish Cultural Foundation
Kone Foundation
AUDIENCE DISCUSSIONS 2025
THURSDAY, SEPT 25. GUEST: ARI TURUNEN
After the evening show at 19.00 in Pannu Hall.
Ari Turunen (Lic.Soc.Sc.) is a nonfiction author and the editor-in-chief of the Finnish edition of Le Monde diplomatique. He works as a communications designer for the ELIXIR life science infrastructure and has written numerous articles on molecular medicine and natural cosmetics. Turunen also serves as the vice-chair of the Finnish association Turvallinen aromaterapia ry (an association dedicated to safe aromatherapy). He has published 15 nonfiction books, which have been translated into 13 languages. One of his major works is Tuoksujen atlas, which has also been translated into Dutch. In this nearly 300-page full-color book, Turunen presents 65 raw materials used in perfumes from around the world.
FRIDAY, SEPT 26. GUEST: MARI SANDELL
After the evening show at 19.00 in Pannu Hall.
Mari Sandell is a professor in sensory food science at the Department of Food and Nutrition and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Helsinki. Sandell leads the Senses and Food research team in Finland, also known as the Sandell lab. Her career includes various positions and projects at the University of Turku and at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia. Sandell works in an international research environment and is inspired by interdisciplinary work, especially the individuality of sensory experiences, multisensory perception, and how these shape our everyday lives. She has received the Polak Young Investigator Award (USA, 2006), the Research Council of Finland Award for social impact (2012), and the Docent of the Year recognition (University of Turku & Åbo Akademi, 2017).
SATURDAY, SEPT 27. GUEST: THE WORKING GROUP
After the evening show at 19.00 in Dance House Helsinki Lobby.
The core creative team is formed by experienced and distinctive artists. Choreographer Johanna Nuutinen directs the work and leads the team. Ville Kabrell’s sound design and music create an intense atmosphere and a rhythmic backbone for the performance. Lauri Lundahl’s spatial design builds the visual world of the piece, and dramaturg Riikka Laakso supports the team by developing and deepening its meanings and themes. On stage, dance artists Clémentine Herveux and Manon Andral bring together precise movement, deep physical presence, and subtle interpretive sensitivity.