Fenced dreams / Aidatut unelmat (2017-2023)

walkabout to accept diversity

Fenced dreams is a walking performance. With a large group of performers and volunteers, the performance takes the audience on an experiential journey, zigzagging through the gardens of the Kaarela area. The performance starts in the local square in Helsinki suburb Kannelmäki, where the audience is divided in 6 different groups and they get instructions and headphones. Each group is led by guides in different pathways though private and public spaces and gardens. The different paths of the performance all lead to a common party in the Malminkartano apple orchard. During the walk, the spectators listens to a soundscape on headphones and encounter performative events. Sound design of the performance uses local environmental sounds together with music and text.

In Fenced dreams, the spectator is an active participant, choosing which way to watch, where to position oneself. While experiencing the performance, the lines between performer, spectator, environment and performance start to blur. All the people, everything in the environment and all the senses become part of the performance experience. Performance deals with our relationship to our environment, our boundaries, fences and limits through experiencing the walking, movement, music and text.

Fenced dreams performance adaptation is available for different environments and cities.

TAKE AWAY version 2021: Radio play walk, more info here..

Press quotes

Walking-based staging is highlighted by through headphones heard urban sounds, background music and poetic reflections. Already when we wait the performance to start, some of the motions in the suburb Market seems to be part of the show. During the performance, for example people in front of you can start dancing unexpectedly with their bags. In the second moment, a group of dancers create a series of movements to find their own boundaries in a fenced yard. In other scenes, we stop at the church hall to listen to the cello playing and follow dance solos depicting different kinds of human fates in the private gardens. An intelligent, subtle performance brings the participant to the experience of almost any event coming forward in a prominent and new way. --Tuomas Rantanen, Voima magazine

Forest biodiversity and urban characterity are considered from many different perspectives. Performers include children, young adults, adults. There is a ballad-singing choir, musicians and poetry. The enthusiastic entity provides enough space for surprises and coincidences. The fictitious dreams are the works that are polished in each section. It is the feeling of long-term work. -Maria Säkö, Helsingin sanomat

Team @Helsinki

Choreographer: Sari Palmgren and performers

Script and direction: Sari Palmgren

Sound design: Tuomas Norvio & Esa Mattila

Music: Mikko Perkola, Tuomas Norvio & Esa Mattila

Costume design: Riitta Röpelinen

Lighting design: Ina Niemelä

Instructor of the group Ihanat: Riina Hannuksela

Instructor of the group at Antinniitty: Jenni Koistinen

Instructor of the Tendency group from Kerava Dance Institute: Taru Reijonen

Performers: Pekka Louhio, Mikko Perkola, Marjukka Savolainen, Elisa Lejeune, Pauliina Kyttä, Anni Mäenpää, Annina Vana, Niina Virkkala, Kirsi Verkka, Anne Harju, Hanna Toiviainen-Conteh, Ella Silvennoinen, Risto Railo, Riikka Levonmaa, Antti Hovila, Juuli Lappalainen, Sari Heinonen, Noora Laaksonen, Päivi Korpela, Vappu Tuomisto, Heli Uusitalo, Satu Riikonen, Päivi Luoma, Marjaana Veikkanen, Pihla Auvinen, Reetta Lindberg, Ida Ticklén, Vilma Mankonen, Eelis Sunila, Minttu Heinonen, Onni Niemi, Pauli Kalalahti, Pyry Varvikko, Sofia Johansson, Vappu Virkkula, Kaarlo Kilponen, Lilja Nevalaita, Kerttu Kapiainen, Kia Kärkkäinen, Nelma Manninen, Klaara Kolehmainen, Sofia Sundman, Netta Morottaja ja Siiri Finnilä.

Guides: main guide Anna Koskela, Saija Jäntti, Laura Lehtinen Anne Pietarinen, Janna Hujanen, Katja Kirsi, Veera Räsänen, Tuula Suitiala, Jari Laine, Pertti Andersson, Jenni Koistinen, Ida Teeri ja Netta Jousi.

Choir: Emma Karsten, Ulla-Riina Mäntylä, Kaisa Mäntylä, Edit Rautakoski, Kaisa Hakala, Senni Syvänen, Ruut Saastamoinen, Pihla Jutila, Petra Jutila, Anu Wartiovaara, Terhi Lindqvist, Suvi-Päivikki Salo, Tuuli Paasilehto, Riina Katajavuori, Maria Kuosmanen

Speach: Anna Koskela, Jukka Peltola, Seliina Riikonen, Vappu Tuomisto ja Niina Virkkala

Producer: Terhi Pursiainen

Production: Zodiak – Center for New Dance, Sari Palmgren, Kanneltalo

In collaboration with: Helsinki Festival

Video: Mikael Kanerva & Sari Palmgren

Supported by: Helsinki city, Arts promotion centre Finland

Premiere 24.8.2017 Kannelmäki, Helsinki/Finland

Other performances: 26.8.-31.8.2017 Kannelmäki, Helsinki/Finland, 18.-26.8.2018 Kannelmäki, Helsinki/Finland, 22.-25.8.2019 Hyvinkää/Finland
Upcoming performances: 15.8-21.8.2023 Kajaani/Finland, more info here..

Duration 2,5 hours

Full performance video and rider by request: sari.palmgren(at)gmail.com