Aapo Nikkanen: Joy Machines

VENUES: Contemporary Art Space Kutomo, Kalastajankatu 1 B

DATE & TIME: 3.9. at 18–19 (in Finnish), 4.9. at 13–14 (in English), 6.9. at 14–15 (in Finnish), 6.9. at 16–17 (in English), 7.9. at 13:30–14:30 (in Finnish)

DURATION: 1 h. After the performance, the audience is welcome to remain in the space to share thoughts and reflections. Advance registration required. Pre-registration for the performances will open in August.

LANGUAGE: Finnish, English

Joy Machines, the audience is hypnotised and introduced to a machine designed to produce happiness at the touch of a button. Under hypnosis, participants undergo intense, multisensory experiences of happiness. The work investigates contemporary society’s desire for instant emotional solutions and examines how technology mediates human consciousness and the search for well-being. Developed in part during Nikkanen’s stay at Saari Residence, the performance delves into futures research, contemporary anxiety, the pursuit of happiness, and our evolving relationship with technology.

Aapo Nikkanen (he/him) is an artist, researcher, and hypnotherapist based in Paris. His interdisciplinary practice explores the intersections of hypnosis, futures research, contemporary anxieties, the pursuit of happiness, and our complex relationship with new technologies. Joy Machines is part of Aapo Nikkanen’s Netrunner series.

The sound design for the performance was done by Raudie Mcleod.