Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) and the Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland have entered into a strategic partnership for the years 2024-2026. ICA’s Artistic Director Bengi Ünsal shared her thoughts about the partnership and collaborating with Finnish artists.
A partnership for 2024-2026 between the Finnish Institute and the ICA has just been initiated. What kind of expectations do you have for this partnership?
The Finnish Institute is an incredibly collaborative institution, and we are both thrilled and grateful to be embarking on this three-year partnership with you.
We expect that this collaboration will foster international relationships, facilitate cultural exchange, and introduce UK audiences to the innovative work of Finnish artists. Ultimately, we hope this partnership will serve as a catalyst for creative experimentation and growth for all involved.
“down below things shudder”, a performance by the Finnish artists Marika Peura and Kaisa Nieminen, will have its UK premiere at the ICA in early July. How did you come across the work and decided to bring it to ICA?
This performance is a continuation of the ICA’s strong tradition of showcasing experimental work. The project was brought to my attention by Sara Sassanelli, one of our curators, who is a prominent figure in the international experimental dance scene.
down below things shudder is part of a six-month programme titled this dark gleam, which features live performances and workshops that serve as platforms for speculation and reinvention. This programme often intersects various disciplines, combining formal techniques with elements of social dance.
Can you give us a sneak peek of what else is going to happen during the next couple of years?
In designing this three-year partnership, we aimed to provide diverse access points for audiences and varied opportunities for artists. Following the commission and performance of down below things shudder, we plan to host a series of participatory workshops next year. In the final year, we will conclude with a major solo commission and performance.
In recent years, ICA and the Finnish Institute have done a few collaborations. Can you tell us how it all began?
The ICA has a long history with the Finnish Institute and Finnish artists, most recently we presented the UK premiere of Teo Ala-Ruona’s show LACUNA in 2023. I also collaborated with the Institute prior to my current position as Director of the ICA when I was Head of Contemporary Music at the Southbank Centre.
The ICA and Finnish Institute values and aims align closely, it feels very authentic for our two organisations to have come together over the years at various moments, and we’re excited to formalise this relationship with a three-year partnership.
Why is it important for ICA to work with the Finnish Institute and Finnish artists?
Post-Brexit, facilitating international exchange has become more crucial than ever. The ICA has always thrived on its global relationships, and we are committed to ensuring that our young audiences continue to be inspired by artists from around the world.
Specifically, we want to highlight and engage with the vibrant experimental dance scene emerging from Finland. This collaboration with Finnish artists provides a unique opportunity for both audiences and artists to explore and appreciate this exciting creative movement.
Interview: Nimco Kulmiye Hussein and Annika Pellonpää
Image: Muhsin Akgun
