The exhibition consists of video projections focusing on the gaze of the octopus, a soundscape that can be heard in the space, and the essay Me eläjät , which can be found in the gallery in a version you can listen to with headphones and as a text booklet to take with you.
The video material of the piece was shot in the octopus habitat in Australia and was recorded by Dean Spraakman, who specializes in underwater photography . The videos were edited by Niklas Kullström and the soundscape was designed by sound designer Jyri Pirinen in collaboration with the artist. The essay was translated by Kasper Salonen , Freja Bäckman is the reader of the text read aloud, and Saku Kämäräinen is responsible for the sound design .
Mari Mäkiö (b. 1982) is an artist living and working in Helsinki. Mäkiö’s works are usually installations, in the making of which he combines different ways of making and materials, from video and sound to more traditional making by hand, such as ceramics and graphics methods. He often works in collaboration with professionals from different fields and other artists. Recently, Mäkiö has especially looked at the encounters between humans and other animal species and related experiences of separateness, connection and empathy. In addition, he is interested in dealing with humans as an animal species through his works, among others, through evolutionary biology and history. Mäkiö’s works have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in Finland, Europe and Japan. He graduated with a master’s degree in photography from the Aalto University School of Arts and Design in 2015 and has been actively working as an artist since then.
