Instinct is an immersive performance experience. In the performances, Wilma-Emilia Kuosa Company leads the audience on a multidimensional sensory journey with jazz dance.

The performance is a communal and safe ritual in which dance artist Wilma-Emilia Kuosa leads the audience on a multidimensional sensory journey through jazz dance. Kuosa has been inspired by her expeditions to Benin and Togo in West Africa. The performance event will include solo and collaborative dances, soundscapes, videos and poems, as well as a variety of smell and taste experiences.

The performance is in three languages: Finnish, English and French.

Instinct takes place in the Kanneltalo gallery space, where the exhibition Sensation/Aistimus/Sensation by Wilma-Emilia Kuosa and her work group is displayed at the same time. The exhibition, which serves as the stage for the performance, comes to life through the interaction between the three performers and the audience. The audience can move around the gallery space during the performance and freely choose the sensory experiences to which to surrender. The performance is an eco-friendly journey towards the roots of jazz dance.

The performance encourages us to keep still, become aware of our senses and observe the world together, one sense at a time. Each dance is based on a single sensory experience, from which a video is shown or a soundscape or poem is heard. The dances reflect the ritual and folk dances studied by Wilma-Emilia in relation to the senses. The audience is given sensory stimuli, i.e. similar smells, tastes or materials to share the experience.

Instinct is the premiere of the Helsinki-based jazz dance group Wilma-Emilia Kuosa Company. This is the sixth concept by choreographer Wilma-Emilia Kuosa. She works with dance artist Tarja Rinne. In this performance, Wilma-Emilia and Tarja are fascinated to explore what jazz dance is today. In her previous works, Wilma-Emilia has used multimedia elements – contemporary poetry, improvisation and photography – which, in this performance, are combined with new sensory experiences.

Instinct is an experience that Wilma-Emilia wants to share with the audience and the performers. The presentations create a safe space where everyone can choose their role as a witness or participant as the presentation progresses from one phase to the next. You can freely change your role during the course of the performance.

Instinct is the premiere of the Helsinki-based jazz dance group Wilma-Emilia Kuosa Company. The work concept is the sixth by choreographer Wilma-Emilia Kuosa.

Creative team
Choreography and poems: Wilma-Emilia Kuosa
Supporting dance artist: Tarja Rinne
Script: Wilma-Emilia Kuosa and Henry Hanikka
Performers:
Sound design: Viliina Kettunen and Wilma-Emilia Kuosa
Music: Noel Saizonou and team

Duration: 1 h
Language Finnish/English/French

Free of charge. The size of the auditorium is limited. Book your seat: https://www.lippu.fi/eventseries/name-4044945/?affiliate=NFI