Photo: Iida-Liina Linnea
MIRADONNA SIRKKA
b. 1991 Rovaniemi, Finland
Based in Helsinki and Northern Finland
miradonna.sirkka@gmail.com
Education
2020 Master degree of Visual Culture and Curating Contemporary Art, Aalto University
2019 Master exchange, Media Art, Tama Art University, Tokyo
2011-2015 Turku University of Applied sciences, Performing arts, Circus
2010-2011 Finnish Theatre Academy, Tampere
Selected works
2024 Rutiinit, multidiscipilinary working group, SLURPS Näyttämö (Kone Foundation), FI
2023 LIFE & DEATH, multidisciplinary performance with Sofi Häkkinen, Recover Laboratory, FI
2023 SNÄGÄRI – site-specific performance, New Performance Biennale, Turku, FI
2023 Angel – performance and performance lecture, Myymälä2 Helsinki Performance Art week
2023 ❤ (Smaller than three) contemporary circus performance, Circusnext Finalist, Paris
2023 Mangle 60-minutes solo contemporary circus performance, directed by Meri-Maija Näykki, Tampereen Työväen Teatteri, FI
2022 One Hundred Million Percent, 75-minute multidisciplinary show, STOA Theatre, Helsinki, FI
2022 Waterslide – one-channel video installation with sound
2021 Hang Out – Bellahoj, site-specific contemporary circus performance, Kobenhavns International Theatre, DN
2021 Hang Out – Bellahoj – site-specific contemporary circus performance, Copenhagen, DN, Kopenhavns International Theatre
2021 Taiteiden kesän taiteilija – Participatory hoop manipulation performance (SKR, KULTA ry)
2021-2020 Art Gift Performance, Taidelahjat/Helsingin Juhlaviikot, FI
2021 100 000 000 % – Night Walk, HKI, Fi, Cirko – Uuden sirkuksen keskus
2020 Site-specific hoop manipulation performance for one person at a time, Taidelahjat/Helsingin Juhlaviikot, FI
2020 Donna Drive, participatory Live-stream performance Facebook-live, Playdate Remote, Kaiken Keskus, FI
2019 Living like there is no tomorrow, video installation
2019 Pyhimys feat Recover Laboratory, live performance in rap concert Tampere-Talo FI
2018 Gone Fishing – Immersive plastic tube and sound installation, Copenhagen International Theatre, Balancing the city residency, DK/FI
2018 Move it! -festival, Copenhagen International Theatre, Kajaanista kuuhun, DK
2018 Interactive journey with hoops + crane, An Evening with Recover Laboratory – Baltic Circle festival, CIRKO, FI
2018 Artist Talk, Performance about awkwardness and responsibility of the audience and performer, Aalto Festival, FI
2018 A Journey between realities, AR & Immersive installation, Helsinki Design week
2018 Kajaanista kuuhun, Hoop manipulation,Kajaanin Runoviikot, directed by visual artist Sofi Häkkinen, FI
2017 Performer in Escape Train / InsideOut (with VR, TBWA and 20th Century Fox), Helsinki-Rovaniemi, FI
2017 Recover Laboratory – Joy of Spleen, aerial chains and hoop manipulation, SWE/FI
2017 Kellohalli, Teurastamo, Aerial chains
2017 Recover Laboratory – Joy of Spleen – installation, MOW-opening event
2017 Recover Laboratory + Serot band live, aerial chains
2017 Arabia street art festival – hoop manipulation
2017 Chocolate hoop – installation, demo at Cirko Festival, Recover Laboratory
2017 The tight wire, hoop manipulation & sculptures installation series with Sofi Häkkinen
2017 Freelancer circus artist, hoop manipulation performances in various events, e.g. Rovaniemi city theatre, wedding ceremony Sri Lanka
2016-2017 Hoop manipulation performance, Mönttilaiva, Viaporin Kekri, Suomenlinna
2016 Aerial chains acrobat, Recover Laboratory
2015 Circus artist, clownery, Something about fragments, directed by Nina Ervasti, Köysiteatteri, FI
2015 Circus artist, Ronja Rövardöttern, Åbo Svenska Teatern, directed by Fiikka Forsman
2014- Performer, Firecircus Circas
2013 Circus artist, acrobatics and aerial chains, contemporary circus performance TuTut
2012 Circus character, Rölli and the golden Key movie, Matila-Röhr productions
2012 Performer, cross-disciplinary Theaterproject BämBämBäm, Köysiteatteri, FI
2011 Soloproject PilviLinna, aerial chains and loop straps
2011- Circus performer in plenty of events, e.g. Turku the Capital of culture 2011
2008-2009 Circus artist (acrobatics, group acrobatics, aerial swing), Talven Taikapyörä, Rovaniemi municipal theatre
1998-2010 Performer, The Finnish youth circus Festivals (solo and group) Christmas and spring shows in youth circus Sirkus Taika-Aika
Directing
2018 Recover Laboratory – Underneath, Meilahti, FI
2016– Co-founder & director of Recover Laboratory company
2016 Recover Laboratory, Viikinmäki, FI
2014 Cleopatra’s dinner, director, performed in the arts academy of Turku, FI
2013 Director and producer, contemporary circus performance, performed e.g. Logomo, Future circus, FI
2008 – Circus teacher, various youth circuses in Finland and abroad (Berlin, New York, Delaware)
Solo exhibitions
2024 Tempus Fuckit (Collector’s item) exhibition with Sofi Häkkinen, Galleria Uusi Kipinä, Lahti, FI
2022 Happiness, SEA Foundation, Tilburg, NL
2020 The Excuse, Gallery D15, Helsinki, FI
Group exhibitions
2022 ARS- Nartae, Lapin Taiteilijaseura,
2020 Surrender Surrender? PRAXIS group exhibition, Exhibition Laboratory, FI
2019 ISTU, Istanbul Contemporary art group exhibition, TR
2018 The reflection of you, Group exhibition. Immersion, Art House Aalto University, FI
2017 Mitä susta jää? – Light installation. Group exhibition at Lantern park, LUX Helsinki, FI
Residencies
2024
Upcoming: October-November in Alta Studios, Prag.
PMP Perypezone, 1 week, Venice, IT
2023
Kone Foundation, 2 months solo residency, FI
Circus Cirkör, Stockholm Sweden
CircusNext selected residencies, Paris, Italy, FR
Kone Foundation, group residency for ❤ working group
2022
CircusNext residencies and performance, Teatro D’Aosta, IT
SEA Foundation, residency, Tilburg, NL
2018-2022
Cirko – Center for new Circus, residencies with different groups and solo, Helsinki, FI
2018
Balancing the city residency, Metropolis Kobenhavn International Theatre, DK
100 000 000% concert for hoops and drums and wind chimes residency in Cirko, FI
Recover Laboratory residency, Sirkus Faktori, FI
Hoops & drums residency in Katapult Berlin, DE
Awards & Grants
Awards & Grants
2024
Sirkuksen mainetekopalkinto / Circus Award, Trade Union of Theatre and Media Workers, TeMe
Arts promotion center, What is a paradise for you, solo project funding
Opstart, Beyond the norms – A new page for audience relationship and gender roles in Nordic contemporary circus / Recover Laboratory
Operational grant for Recover Laboratory / Art Promotional Centre Finland
2023
Finnish Cultural Foundation (SKR), working grant, 28 000€
Kone Foundation solo residency and working grant, 5000€
Kone Foundation group residency, 9000€
Arts promotion center Finland, working grant for 6 months, 12 000€
Arts promotion center Finland, annual grant for Recover Laboratory, 10 000€
Nordic Culture point travel grant for Baltic travels, Recover Laboratory, 10 800€
Svenska Kulturfonden for Swedish-Finnish collaboration, 2000€
2022
Finnish Cultural Foundation (SKR), Mankeli working group 12 000€
Circus Next Platform European Selections, shortlisted Recover Laboratory
Oskar Öflunds Stiftelse for One Hundred Million percent, 2500€
Arts promotion center Finland, working grant for 6 months, 12 000€
Arts promotion center Finland, travel grant 2000 €
Benelux Institute, Telepart travel grant 450€
Arts promotion center Finland (Recover Laboratory) 9500€
Helsinki City Cultural Support program for Recover Laboratory, 10 000€
Arts promotion center Finland (Recover Laboratory One Hundred Million percent) 6500€ 2021
Helsinki City Culture foundation, Recover Laboratory, 10 000€
Helsinki City Culture support for immersive performances, Recover Laboratory 8000€ Arts promotion center Finland, immersive art, Recover Laboratory, 2500€
Samuel Huber foundation, immersive art, Recover Laboratory, 2500€
Helsinki City Culture support, Recover Laboratory, 3000€
Arts promotion center Finland, solo working, Covid grant, 4000€
Arts promotion center Finland, Covid grant, 4000€
Arts promotion center Finland, Covid grant, 6000€
Taiteiden Kesä Kulta ry, one-to-one performance in Northern Finland, 1250€
The Finnish Cultural Foundation (<3 hoop manipulation performance), 7500€
2020
Helsinki City, Recover Laboratory Evening Walk, 3000€
2019
Arts Promotion Center, for 100 000 000 %
Helsingin Kaupunki, for 100 000 000 %
2018
Helsinki City for Underneath
2017
Sirkusinfo Finland Young artists, production award
Stockholm Fringe Festival, award, SWE
2016
Finnish Cultural Foundation for Recover Laboratory
Publications and talks
2024 Cultural Politics in Finland – Utopias for new circus
2024 First step into mental safer spaces on stage and beyond it w. Amanda Homa Safer Space for Danger Conferece, MAD Festival, Antwerpen, NL
2023 Gender in contemporary circus, Dance in Focus – magazine
2023 Panel Discussion, TIP-festival
2022 “Pasta + Football = Art” -article Catalyst blog
2020 Satans Asshole zine with Sofi Häkkinen
2020 Master thesis ”Awkwardness as a tool in my artistic practice”
2020 Occupy Earth, Aalto University Finland, Parsons School of Design New York
2020 Performing Arts during the lockdown Sirkusinfo and Dance info Finland (in Finnish)
Selected Press
2022 Night Walk, Recover Laboratory, Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish)
2021 Hoop manipulation performance, Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish)
2020 Living like there is no tomorrow videinstallation in Surrender Surrender? Exhibition EDIT Journal (in Finnish)
2018 Recover Laboratory, Underneath, a labyrinth under the ground: Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish)
2016 Recover Laboratory labyrinth in Viikinmäki, Helsingin Uutiset (in Finnish)
MIRADONNA SIRKKA 