• Annette Arlander

Annette Arlander

YEAR OF THE DRAGON

Jätkä 2 24.8.-8.9.2013

ANNETTE ARLANDER
YEAR OF THE DRAGON
GALLERIA HUUTO JÄTKÄSAARI

24.8.-8.9.2013

See the blog: http://aa-callingthedragon.blogspot.fi/

Year of the Dragon forms the penultimate works of the 12-year series I began videoing on Harakka Island in 2002. It was recorded in 2012, the year of the Dragon. The works from the previous year, the year of the Rabbit, were displayed at Gallery Jangva in January 2013. Each year I have found a new feature in the environment and a new kind of relationship between the human body and the place. This year the sound, the barely audible tinkle of the small bell, is essential. My way of working is based on the traditions of performance art, video art and environmental art, moving in the borderland between them.

The dragon is the only mythical animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese calendar where each year is named after an animal. It represents creative power, success and good fortune. In European mythology a dragon is a monster that the hero has to defeat in order to save the princess or it is a creature that marks the border between the known and unknown, like in old maps and the expression “here be dragons”. Therefore, I believe that one can only try to call the dragon.

During the year of the Dragon (2012), I called the dragon more or less once a week from the roof of a bunker, which was used to defuse mines after World War II. I did this by ringing a small ceramic bell that I bought as a souvenir from a temple in Kyoto. I recorded the performances on video and I also documented the project in a blog known as Calling the Dragon (http://aa-callingthedragon.blogspot.fi) that I wrote in three languages.

I also called the dragon by waving a green ribbon towards the camera on the panorama spot while standing on the roof of the bunker. Similarly, I waved the green ribbon towards the camera from the panorama spot while the camera stood on the roof of the bunker. I did this during those times of year when not obstructed by birds or foliage. In addition, I called the dragon by ringing the bell while standing on the panorama spot at 3-hour intervals during the last day and night of the year of the Dragon.

These three works are now displayed at this exhibition in the form of video installations.

Calling the Dragon – four-channel video installation
The video was recorded in four directors while standing on the roof of the bunker, which is located on the southern tip of Harakka Island. I did this approximately once a week between February 4, 2012 and February 3, 2013, a total of 40 times.

Part 1: Wrapped in a green scarf, I call the dragon by ringing a small green ceramic bell on the roof of the bunker facing north.
Part 2: Wrapped in a green scarf, I call the dragon by ringing a small green ceramic bell on the roof of the bunker facing east.
Part 3: Wrapped in a green scarf, I call the dragon by ringing a small green ceramic bell on the roof of the bunker facing south.
Part 4: Wrapped in a green scarf, I call the dragon by ringing a small green ceramic bell on the roof of the bunker facing west.

Year of the Dragon – two-channel video installation
The video was recorded from the panorama spot towards the bunker and from the roof of the bunker towards the panorama spot between February 4, 2012 and February 3, 2013, a total of 40 times.

Part 1: Wrapped in a green scarf, I call the dragon by waving a green ribbon tied to a stick while standing on the roof of the bunker and facing north during the winter, spring and fall.
Part 2: Wrapped in a green scarf, I call the dragon by waving a green ribbon tied to a stick while standing in the viewing area and facing south during the winter, spring and fall.

Day and Night of the Dragon
The video was recorded during a 24-hour period at 3-hour intervals between 3 pm on February 2 and 3 pm on February 3. Wrapped in a green scarf, I call the dragon by ringing a small green ceramic bell from the panorama spot facing south.