Dide Siemmond - Christmas time in Finland

Hello again,

I'm nearing the end of my restful residency in Kokkola. It's been a wonderful and generous experience, so I really am thankful for those who made it possible, such as Stina and Meri :-)

Though we mainly stayed in Kokkola the whole time, we did have a trip to Helsinki and the snow covered sand dunes and splitting ice around Karhi, thanks to Clas-Olav and his wife Tarja. I also went ice hole swimming after sweating it out in the sauna with Clasu and Tarja, which was so invigorating! I would highly recommend, at least once. I met Clasu, after he photographed me when I was interviewed for one of the Finnish newspapers. He's great at what he does! I actually, unexpectantly, got quite a lot of press coverage for a couple of different newspapers when I was here, so thank to Stina, Jessica and Anni for making that happen! It was lovely to see people interested in what I do, and very rewarding :-)

Here are some photos of my festive stay, with some lovely colours!

Take care,
Dide

Dide Siemmond - Snow coral

Hi,

I've just been experimenting with overlaying photos of coral and snow, as diseased bleached coral look like underwater snowscapes to me and I thought it might be an effective way of bringing this to the fore in hopefully inciting change.

:-)

Dide Siemmond - Hello Kokkola

Hello Kokkola,

We've been here for 2 weeks now and are loving it: the cosy Christmas creativity, the crisp snow air and the lazy fantastical slumber of darkness...

I've mainly been experimenting with melting metal for sculptures and paintings as a bit of side fun. The paintings revolve around ideas concerning freezes, such as brain freezes and freezing moments in time, to address our approach to mental health. I might compose music too, but not sure. Most of my exploring has been sculptural, and I've written some poems too. Here's one like a beetle with a poem inspired by it and Finnish life to go with it. It evolves both a Finnish and Asian tradition. As well as this, I had an idea to create a platform called #creatorsofchange, which I launched last week.

So far I am being inspired by Finnish culture and history as interpreted by me, Arto Passilinna, Väinö Linna, the Moomins. We've been watching Finnish films and reading Finnish books, and I've seen the St Lucia celebrations and sung Finnish Christmas songs in the church - all new to me :-) We've done everything around the town, from the sea, to museums, eating Finnish fare and even archery, so only a wood sauna left to do, and maybe some ice-skating if it gets cold enough. Here are some photos of Kokkola in the snow :-) Hoping for more snow, fingers crossed!

Thank you,
Dide
www.didesiemmond.com

Sven Domann, Kokkola- Liquid

Sven Domann - Last days

Today I will drive by bus to Lohtaja. During the last days I also took some photos in the wonderful historical part of Kokkola.

Sven Domann - Liquid

Sven Domann - Wildfire

Sven Domann - residency guest in October

Sven Domann is our residency guest in October at Drake AC. He is a multitasking artist as he paints, writes and makes art out of photography. He enjoys biking in the surroundings of Kokkola, especially the forests, and takes nice photos of our nature spiced with some details of his own.

Kokko is saying goodbye

Kokko is very sad to tell you he got some new projects 

...

so, he is moving back to Slovenia. 

Now, he will leave you with the next coming Artist in Residency in Drake Arts Centre.

But, Kokko is moving to another BLOG, check it out on: Gledališče DELA

Kokko in Kokkola - day 21

What`s your price is not the question.

We are creating our own value!

Let`s live the Art and Nordic Art School.

PHOTO CREDIT: Leena Lähdesmäki

Kokko in Kokkola - day 20

Preparing for tomorrow 

...

 LIST OF PRESENT ARTISTS

Kokko in Kokkola - day 19

Greyish day - not so bright.

BUT!

Colourful event is approaching.

Nordic Art School is waiting for you...

I am in the right hands.

PHOTO CREDIT: Leena Lähdesmäki

See you there - tomorrow!

WHAT`S YOUR PRICE?

Kokko in Kokkola - day 18

Kokko was really busy with organizing the event What°s your price?

#WHAT°S YOUR PRICE?

Is Nordic art School really falling apart or this is just a myth?

 What is Marina thinking about it?

 We should talk it out, but do not act before we drink some coffee.

Coffee make us awake,

 

 and aware.

So, lets act:

checking the place,

 filling up the empty spaces

and putting on dancing shoes.

PHOTO CREDIT: Leena Lähdesmäki

Kokko out of Kokkola - day 0

I was taken by pink emigrants from space.
Slovenia is a colorful country, lots of surprises...

maybe I shouldn`t make this trip to hometown.

PHOTO CREDIT: Nika Hölcl Praper

But do not worry, I am back in Kokkola, save in Nordic Art School.

See you at Friday!