Njáhcu
Viitahuhta Marja
Plants growing in Sápmi appear in this video work as an animated wallpaper, where the plants are covered in fog or snow. Day and night, summer and winter, real and dream alternate. The luohti in the work calls for Biegg'olmmái, the God of Wind, for help: the exceptionally warm air and rainfall of northern winters caused by climate change is melting the snow. When the snow freezes to the ground during cold nights, it makes it difficult for reindeer to graze and find food. Climate change is already manifesting itself in the Arctic in a variety of ways, affecting biodiversity and ecosystems in the region.
The images of plants growing in Sápmi are original illustrations by artist Göran Boström. We thank Boström for his permission to use these images in our work.
Njáhcu is a continuation in a series of works created in collaboration of Marja Viitahuhta (moving image), Ánnámáret (yoiking/vocals), Ilkka Heinonen (jouhikko / carelian bowed lyre) and Turkka Inkilä (electronics).
23 works