How do environmental stimuli guide our gaze and spatial orientation? In what ways do we exercise power through the gaze? Why do we build meanings through our gaze where there previously were none?

Choreographer Johanna Nuutinen’s new creation OPIA dives eyes first in the middle of these ever present questions relating to looking, being looked at, and forming meaning between things we see.

OPIA explores its topic through movement language spiralling into the world behind the gaze, perspective-questioning visual design and captivating soundscape.

The work takes the shape of a triptych of two solos and a duet that can be seen as separate works or as one whole.

Visualist Joonas Tikkanen is in charge of the mesmerising stage design which divides the stage in two sections. These spaces create a captivating rhythm for the work which is built out of three performative parts. In addition to Joonas Tikkanen and choreographer Johanna Nuutinen the artistic team includes Tuomas Norvio, a Säde award-winning sound designer based in Helsinki. Tuomas Norvio creates sound for the entire work in real time by mixing the audio tracks extracted from the performer’s speech. The sound in this work creates layers of interpretation and possibilities of meaning.

The costumes are designed by Erika Turunen. Known for her sculptural approach to designing for bodies in motion, she has worked extensively in opera, ballet and contemporary dance. Dramaturg Jarkko Lehmus will support the dramaturgical development of OPIA.

The performers Jenna Broas and Mia Jaatinen have been working actively on the Finnish and international dance scene since they graduated from the Theatre Academy in Helsinki. Jenna Broas has danced lately with Tero Saarinen Company and creates her own work with her artistic partner Fabian Nyberg. Among others Mia Jaatinen has been dancing with Kinetic Orchestra directed by choreographer Jarkko Mandelin as well as produced her own work for stage and film.