Case Pyhäjoki – Artistic refections on nuclear influence was a trans-disciplinary expedition and production workshop in Pyhäjoki, Northern Finland 1. – 11.8.2013. The sixth nuclear power plant of the country was planned to be built in Pyhäjoki in Hanhikivi Cape.

The ‘Case’ was opened by Mari Keski-Korsu, initiator, artistic director and executive producer of the project, and the selected 18 participants included hybrid artists, researchers and activists (see below list). The programme consisted of lectures, meeting local people and expeditions of different kinds to get to know the area, nuclear power as phenomenon, and what the power plant means to people. It was acknowledged that the nuclear issue reaches from the local to national and global. What is artist’s role in the changes in the area and wider? How can we develop methods of creative work in a complex and contested place of social tragedy and distress? How can we communicate this through to wider networks?

As well as talking, thinking and research, there is also time for action. The participants
created different types of engagements, prototype events and experiments, reaching from a large ‘thank you’ sign for those who refuse to sell their land to the nuclear power company, to the design of a ‘power sports day’, a local fairytale, as well as a mural painting with local youth, a special karaoke playlist, and a DIY geiger counter building workshop.
The contributing presentations, workshops, expeditions and reflections were documented
online at casepyhajoki.info (which was then hacked and materials were lost) and facebook.com/casepyhajoki
Twitter #casepyhajoki

The ‘show & tell’ day was on Sunday 11th of August in the local Parhalahti School, close to the location of Hanhikivi, the actual site for the planned nuclear power plant.

The participants of Case Pyhäjoki are Ryoko Akama (JP/UK), Erich Berger (AT/FI), Brett Bloom
(US/DK), Bonnie Fortune (US/DK), Carmen Fetz (AT), Antye Greie-Ripatti (FI/DE), Martin
Howse (UK/DE), Mari Keski-Korsu (FI), Maarit Laihonen (FI), Liisa Louhela (FI), Pik Ki Leung (HK), Mikko Lipiäinen (FI), Helene von Oldenburg (DE), Opposite_Solutions (RO), Andrew Paterson (SCO/FI), Leena
Pukki (FI) ja Heidi Räsänen (FI).

Case Pyhäjoki is supported by Kone Foundation and Arts Promotion Centre of Finland.