A story of finding connection
Thousand Times Yes is a philosophical, haunting and poetic exploration of the limits and possibilities of language, communication, space and the body. The performance challenges the concept, aesthetics and hierarchical tradition of opera.
An ancient organism in the Earth’s crust is rising towards the surface. Its movements mobilise minerals, bacteria, fungi, gases and the atmosphere, causing instability that creates a web of unexpected conflicts. The protagonist, a human called G, has been given the ability to connect and communicate with different bodies and beings. G is summoned to mediate between the conflicting parties – and eventually meet the ancient organism itself.
A story of companionship and coexistence, Thousand Times Yes makes space for alternative futures.
The artists
Marja Ahti
Marja Ahti is a Swedish-Finnish composer and artist based in Turku. She combines field recordings and other acoustic materials with sounds produced by synthesizers and electronic feedback in an attempt to find a space where the sounds begin to mimic or communicate with each other.
Jenny Kalliokulju
Jenny Kalliokulju is a Swedish artist and poet based in Bjuv. Her multidisciplinary practice explores the tension between movement, stagnation and translation, combining memories, found materials and language into installations, paintings and poetry.
Essi Kausalainen
Essi Kausalainen is a Helsinki based artist whose works use performance, textile art, text, audio and video to explore the sensuous capacity of our bodies. She approaches the body as an open-ended process made in and shaped by its complex relations with other beings, situations and environments.
The team
Music: Marja Ahti
Libretto, set design & paintings: Jenny Kalliokulju
Concept, direction & outfits: Essi Kausalainen
Director’s assistant: Laura Cemin
Lighting design: Sofia Ivarsson
Production coordinator: Johannes Juva
Bee – Florian Feigl
G – Johanna Kalliokulju
Washing Machine & Worm – Yuko Takeda
Stream – Ahti Leppänen, Etna Ruscica, Villa Ruscica
Cello – Aino Juutilainen
Harp – Saara Olarte
In cooperation with
Inter Arts Center, Kiasma Theater, Kunsthal Rønnebæksholm and Moderna Museet Malmö.
Supported by
Nordic Culture Fund, Nordic Culture Point, Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Frame, Saari Manor Residence, and the Finnish-Danish Cultural Foundation.
Location and accessibility
Kiasma Theatre is located on the first floor, at the opposite end of the building from the main doors. The theatre has no numbered seats. Jackets and bags can be left to Kiasma’s cloakroom for free.
The top level of Kiasma Theatre is accessible. We recommend to contact Kiasma’s info before if a place for a weelchair is needed.
Contemporary live art