What Time Is?

Suominen Niina

The essence of our time under the magnifying glass. The starting point was to create a visually interesting and intense, kaleidoscopically abundant work that could be set together with the pioneering electric composition of Jukka Ruohomäki (1947-2022). The sound material was created in 1970 with the DIMI-synthesizer designed by Erkki Kurenniemi. The film material (16mm) was shot and developed by the director with the exception of the found footage war imagery. What time is? places the experience of time in the centre of contemplation. The human figures act as reference points for meditation on the passage and ending of time. The images of war function as universal symbols reflecting the inherent violence in human nature through all eras. The work gives us a chance to reflect on the transient nature of time and the relationship of the viewer to the conflict-ridden epoch in which we live.

Production Year
2020
Duration
00:07:15
Tyyppi
Asiasana
Original Title
Mikä aika on?
Finnish Title

Mikä aika on?

English Title

What Time Is?

Production Countries
Finland
Dialogue
No
Sound
Yes
Cast
Niina Suominen (Author), Niina Suominen (Cinematographer), Jukka Ruohomäki (Composer), Niina Suominen (Director), Niina Suominen (Editor), Niina Suominen (Producer), Niina Suominen (Script), Niina Suominen (Sound Design), Jukka Ruohomäki (Sound Design), AVEK (Funder), Taiteen edistämiskeskus (Funder), Force Majeure Films (Production Company)
Press Photos
Niina Suominen has worked with experimental moving images for 20 years. Her educational background is in traditional animation, and in her artistic work, she is interested in contemplating and breaking the conventions of animation. Suominen is fascinated by abandoned environments, found objects, and human reality. Her work often begins with the observation of a specific subject, theme, or aesthetically interesting detail. Improvisation, movement, and rhythm are important elements in her works.