Trainee’s Diary Vol. 2

 

 

Trainee’s Diary 2: A change of pace

 

Hello again! This time a few things about the beginnings of all this.

For the longest time life in Tokyo remained relatively normal and it felt like the pandemic did not really affect Japan. It was only with the postponement of the Olympics and subsequent declaration of the state of emergency, that really made it concrete. There was panic buying of masks and toilet paper but altogether I have not seen anything too crazy compared to pictures from other places. Actually, I have not seen much of anything recently!

All of this really is in stark contrast to weekend before the first restrictions, which coinciding with the best Hanami or cherry-blossom viewing season saw the parks around Tokyo fill with hundreds of thousands of people. There was probably considerable reluctance from the government to take action as that would also mean not being able to have the Olympics as planned. I was of course glad, being able to go out during this season was one of my planned highlights for my time in Japan.

A friend from Finland was visiting me just prior the cut-off of all flights to Finland on 26th of March. A few days before departing back to Finland she had received an email with the purpose of instructing Finnish citizens in crisis-struck regions. We were laughing (in bad taste yes) about which region exactly is the crisis-struck one here, since Japan was really business as usual when compared to the full-on lockdown in Finland at that time. Since then of course it has been the same thing in most places around the world.

This is now my sixth week of telecommuting. I started work at the Institute in February, which means that I was just about to get used to rhythm here when I switched to working from home. Still, as most of my work has been SNS related, there has not been that big a switch in the contents of the work, regardless of where I do it. Of course, not meeting people does take a toll on you.

It would be nice to explore the city a bit more, but obviously taking the metro just for giggles everyday would be irresponsible so walking the neighborhood will have to suffice for now.

If anything, it is nice to get a bit more sleep instead of commuting in the mornings!

Next time a bit more about the telecommuting routine!

Together Alone – the second selection round

The second selection round of Together Alone is now completed! We were thrilled to receive (once again!) no less than 142 applications from homebound artists and collectives around the world. For this second round, seven projects were selected, employing bravely and widely the potentialities of digital culture and taking new paths to create connections between isolated artists and audiences worldwide.

The selected projects from the second round are:

  • Care Practice: Recipes for Resilience by Ceci Moss & Jenni Nurmenniemi
  • Constructing a specialist network to produce knowledge and act as springboard for artistic work by Aapo Nikkanen
  • DEMO by Pekka Airaxin, Caterina Avataneo & Felice Moramarco
  • Felt the Moonlight on my Feet by Jani Ruscica, Sam Watson & Suzanna Pezo
  • Monitor Man in the Time of Pandemic by Yassine Khaled
  • Where from Here by  Lenore Malen & Samir Bhowmik
  • World-Body by Jenna Sutela & Ella Plevin

There is still time to join in on the project – the third and the final deadline for applications is on May 4th at 4 p.m. (EEST).
More information here

Selected projects from the first round

Selected projects from the third round

Trainee’s Diary Vol. 1

 

 

Hi! I’m Lauri Selonen and I’ll be blogging from Tokyo, where I’m the intern for Finnish Institute in Japan.

I’m a masters program student at the Centre for East Asian Studies at University of Turku. This internship through EDUFI, while not strictly required for my studies was something that I had wanted to do for quite some time! This is a diary related to my work and/or the extraordinary circumstances we are in. I’ll be posting every other week starting now with stuff that happened before – well, all this happened.

I was absolutely delighted to be picked for this internship since I’ve been looking for ways to spend more time in Japan and especially Tokyo which is probably my favourite city in the world (Osaka is pretty cool too so maybe it’s a tie). Chance to do a 10-month internship here was then really a dream come true! Another thing was that I had never been in an Olympic city before, so that would also be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, right? This would also really cement my Japanese skill, which for me at least has been difficult to keep up without immersion.

Arriving late January, I was really quite excited for setting up my life here. Work seemed interesting if a bit intimidating at first. The institute had organized for the previous intern to stay behind for my training, which was a great way of getting me started. Staff seemed nice and everyone pitched in on making my orientation as comfortable as possible. The work would include communication and organizing of events, as well as planning and executing some events of my own. The institute had various events, seminars and exhibitions planned and it seemed that things would get quite busy!

Moving in and immigration process both went smoothly. I live in Kita district of northern Tokyo. This was a bit far from my place of work at the Embassy compound in the Minato district, but commuting would surely pose no issues and if it did, I figured moving closer would be easy enough. Also living an hour away, I could afford an apartment instead of just a room. Having a kitchen and a bath of my own is nice, not that I intended to spend that much time indoors anyway. (LOL)

Tokyo is such a swirling mass of light and energy. A city of such size that I could live here my whole life without knowing every corner of it. Coming from the middle of nowhere in Finland this prospect was very appealing to me. Whatever I wanted to do I could probably find it here. This idea was actually also a bit intimidating since I had to figure how to make the most of my time here, as if this was some sort of competition. I guess that’s FOMO for you. Luckily ten months is such a long time that I did not get too stuck on the idea.

A bit less than two months of working, I had started to really get my routine down. Scratch that!

129 applications for the first Together Alone round!

We’ve gone through amazing applications by artists and collectives from across the globe – from Finland to Burkina Faso, from Japan to India and Australia. Five projects have now been selected, taking us on an exploration of artistic practices in times of physical isolation: artists weaving futurology and contemporary dance practices, studying fresh-water polyps and creating algorithms based on Covid-19 data, and others focusing on collaborative practices via soundscapes and online reading programmes.

The selected projects from the first round are:

  • Across the Way With… by Shimmer Rotterdam and PUBLICS
  • Bodytalk by Simo Vassinen, Roope Mokka and Maria F. Scaroni
  • Hydra Human Hybrid by Charles Quevillon and Maija Tammi in collaboration with Tedd Robinson
  • Untitled by Maria Korkeila
  • World Wide Window by Mikki Nordman

Congratulations!

The project still continues. Kindly send your proposal (max 3 000 characters) by April 20th or May 4th at 4 p.m (EEST) to togetheralone@fininst.uk

Let’s make the best out of this situation – together!

Selected projects from the second round

Selected projects from the third round

TOGETHER ALONE – OPEN CALL!

フィンランド文化・学術協会のネットワークでは、コロナ禍のチャレンジとしてアートプロジェクトのオープンコールを開始しました。

昨今のコロナ禍では、文化セクターに大きな影響を与え、プロジェクトベースで活動する多くのアーティストやクリエーティブ産業従事者たちの経済状況にも大きな損害をもたらしています。

この危機下において、フィンランド文化・学術協会のミッションは変わりません。私たちの使命は、国境を超えた交流やビジビリティー、そしてフィンランドの芸術、文化、学術のコラボレーションを促進することにあります。そのため、新しく、この状況に応じたオープンコールをフィンランド人、またはフィンランドに居住するアーティストとアーティスト集団に対して行います。以下は、応募要項となります(英語のみ)。対象に該当される方は是非ご応募ください。

TOGETHER ALONE – OPEN CALL

The Institutes are seeking artistic proposals related to the following themes:

  • state of emergency
  • radical change
  • resilience
  • artistic practice in the future
  • alone together

At the same time the project will act as a documentation of the crisis and one of the major social upheavals of our time and gives the artists an opportunity to reflect it through the arts. The application is open to all Finnish and Finland-based professional artists who have lost work opportunities due to the corona epidemic.

The Institutes are commissioning projects from selected artists or artistic groups to be completed by June 30, 2020. The total grant of an individual project is between 1 500–5 000 €. The expenses will be paid as work compensation or by invoice. The suitability for diverse international distribution is considered an asset. The implementation of the project must comply with the national law concerning accessibility of digital services.

The aim of the open call is to ensure the livelihoods of artists and the continuity of international collaboration. Although mobility and physical encounters must now be restricted, we want to support the international networks and cooperation.

The epidemic is revolutionizing the world in ways we could not have foreseen. We are facing a time when it’s necessary to question our way of life – and to come up with new ways of living, working and securing our livelihoods. With Together Alone we want to give a platform and encourage professionals to consider new ways of operating in a situation, where mobility and physical contact are no longer possible. We are especially looking for projects, which emphasize broad international collaboration – without physical contact.

Projects won’t be restricted to be implemented within any particular Finnish Institute’s geographic area but should fit to the sphere of activity of all of the institutes. The projects can take place or be available on the artist’s website, on a public web platform, on Youtube or on an alternative platform with a reach to wide audiences. The medium is not restricted and the result can be for example an artwork, work in progress, performance, a diary, a film etc. The Institutes will include the chosen projects as part of their official programmes and they will be available for all the institutes worldwide. The artist will retain the copyright of the work.

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION CRITERIA:
  • The project will be carried out in a manner that will not contradict the regulations of the prevailing state of emergency conditions
  • The project should promote international networking and collaboration of Finnish artists or Finland-based artists
  • The open call encourages international dialogue and creativity beyond national borders Innovativity and experimental approach are encouraged

Send your project proposal (max 3 000 characters) to togetheralone@fininst.uk. Please attach a budget, a short CV and a brief communication plan of the project. Send all the files as a single PDF file, maximum 2 Mt by size. The choice will be made by a panel of experts from the Finnish Cultural and Academic Institutes.

SCHEDULE – Proposal deadlines

First deadline by Monday 30.3. 16:00 (Finnish time / GMT +2)
Second deadline by Monday 20.4. 16:00 (Finnish time / GMT +2)
Third and final deadline by Monday 4.5. 16:00 (Finnish time / GMT +2)

All proposals received by the deadline will be considered and a selection will be made within two weeks after the deadline. All submitted project proposals will remain under consideration through all selection rounds.

Selected projects from the first round

Selected projects from the second round

Selected projects from the third round

Notice of telecommuting

According to the instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Finland, the Finnish Institute in Japan will be telecommuting from March 17th. But do not worry, we will continue to create engaging content and keep you busy online! Stay tuned and be healthy!

Registration for the Finnish Language and Culture Course in Huittinen has started!!

Come and experience Finnish local life, learn Finnish language and culture…you are welcome to join our first collaboration with Länsi-Suomen opisto! 

Itinerary:

March 15th (Sunday): We will meet in Helsinki Vantaa Airport, then travel to Huittinen, where we will stay for a week.

March 16th ~ 21st (Monday-Saturday): You can participate in Finnish language lessons, sauna, walks in the nature, visit to farm & house, schools and many other activities! 

March 21st (Saturday): Travel back to Helsinki

◆Participation Fee:

80,000 Yen for Double occupancy, 92,000 Yen for Single occupancy

*Included:Accommodation for 6 nights, 17 meals, and fees for activities

*Excluded:Flight ticket between Japan-Finland-Japan, and travel insurance

Application and Inquiries:

Please download and fill in the application form. You can send it via email or post.

The Deadline for the application will be on Saturday 29th February 2020.

Tel:03-5447-6036 (Japan)

Email: science@finstitute.jp

Address:Finnish Institute in Japan,

3-5-39 Minami-Azabu, Minato, Tokyo, Japan

Download the application form from here (*Japanese Only)

カルチャー留学 募集要項

カルチャー留学2020春申込書

Season’s greetings

 

Many thanks to our friends and collaboration partners! We wish you a very relaxing Christmas and all the best for the new year 2020!

The Finnish Institute in Japan office is closed from December 30th 2019 to January 5th 2020.

Tove Jansson and the Impact of Japan Conference

 

 

The Finnish multitalented artist Tove Jansson (1914-2001) is widely known in Japan. She visited various places in Japan and filmed her experiences, but what was the impact of Japan to her literary production and to her as an artist? Come and listen to Finnish, Swedish and Japanese researchers intriguing presentations and panel discussion! Lunch boxes are available on both days, and conference attendees can participate in an excursion to Saitama Moominvalley Park on November 29th (see details on Peatix, link below)!

Conference days:
November 27th (Wed) 10:00 – 17:00 and reception
November 28th (Thu) 10:00 – 16:00

Excursion day:
November 29th (Fri)
Bus leaving from the Finnish Institute in Japan at 09:00

 

For more information and registration (deadline November 24th): https://tovejanssonjapan2019.peatix.com

 

CONFERENCE PROGRAM  (Changes are possible)

Day 1: Wednesday, November 27th

10:00           Registration

10:30           Welcome, Anna-Maria Wiljanen

10:40           Opening of the Conference, Mr. Pekka Orpana, Ambassador of Finland

 

11:00           KEY NOTE 1

A hundred miles of silence. The Moomin stories of Tove Jansson

Boel Westin, Professor Emeritus, University of Stockholm

 

12:15           LUNCH

 

 

~SESSION 1  

Moderator:   Anna-Maria Wiljanen

13:15 

Tove Jansson and Japanese Aesthetics

Miki Tokoyoda, Independent researcher, The Moomin Museum

 

13:45  

“Moomins changed everything” – The influence of Moomin animations to Japanese animators

Eija Niskanen, Researcher, University of Helsinki

 

14:15

Tove Jansson and Japonism

Anna-Maria Wiljanen, Director, The Finnish Institute in Japan

 

14:45           BREAK

 

 

~SESSION 2  

Moderator:   Boel Westin

15:15 

Lost in Translation? How much the translation is truthful to its original text?

Miki Tokoyoda, Independent researcher, The Moomin Museum

 

15:45  

Thingumy, Bob and Too-ticky in Moomin franchise

Harri Ruohonen, Researcher, Daito Bunka University

 

16:15

”What will happen to “Moomin without Tove Jansson”? From the survey of 100 Japanese teenagers

Kimiko Matsui, Children’s Books Journalist, librarian, CEO of MightyBook

 

16:45           Summary of the first day

 

17:00           RECEPTION

 

19:00           END OF THE DAY

●●●

Day 2: Thursday, November 28th

10:00    Welcome, Anna-Maria Wiljanen

 

~SESSION 3

Moderator: Anna-Maria Wiljanen

10:05    KEY NOTE 2

Solitary Wanderers and the Fear for Being Average: The Paths and the Barriers of Young and Old Individuals in Tove Jansson’s Literature

Sirke Happonen, Associate professor, University of Helsinki

 

11:05

Seasons and nature as a metaphor

Miki Tokoyda, Independent researcher, The Moomin Museum

 

11:35 

Music plays inside Moomin Art and Stories of Tove Jansson

Heikki Mäenpää, Executive producer, Harjula Production Oy Ltd.

 

12:15    LUNCH

 

 

~SESSION 4

Moderator: Boel Westin

13:15 

Tove Jansson and Japanese Creators

Hiroko Yokokawa, Editor

 

13:45

Why do we love ‘Moomin’  – a Japanese perspective

Arisa Kawasaki, Creative Director

 

14:15    BREAK

 

14:45 

Moominvalley Park

Robert Hirst, Chairman, Moomin Monogatari Ltd.

 

15:15    PANEL DISCUSSION with the conference speakers

Moderator: Anna-Maria Wiljanen

 

15:45    CLOSING REMARKS   

Anna-Maria Wiljanen

 

Organized by:    The Finnish Institute in Japan

Supported by:    Moomin Monogatari Ltd.