W A U H A U S is a Helsinki-based multidisciplinary arts collective that was formed in 2016. The collective creates contemporary theatre, performance art and dance productions, as well as social choreography, lectures and workshops. The works of W A U H A U S are situated between different genres of art and take place at various venues from small black box theatres to urban sites, large stadiums, and the main stages of established theatre houses. The members of W A U H A U S are scenographer Laura Haapakangas, director Juni Klein, scenographer Samuli Laine, sound designer Jussi Matikainen, choreographer Jarkko Partanen, new media artist Jani-Matti Salo and sound designer Heidi Soidinsalo, working together with producer Julia Hovi.  W A U H A U S is known for their comprehensive audiovisual stage aesthetics and methods of shared authorship. The collective collaborates with other artists and institutions both in Finland and abroad. In 2017 W A U H A U S was awarded the Finnish State Prize for the Performing Arts. 

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W A U H A U S is the collective of seven artists, who have their own visions and interests, different strengths and blind spots. Our work constantly strives to find collectivity in making art, while allowing each individual artist to work through their professional viewpoint and particular skillset. In our artistic work we value not-knowing, wondering, questioning and playfulness. To us, our performances are attempts to exist side-by-side with different beings and materials. Oftentimes the unique nature of different materials – like pastel-coloured liquids, an enormous black garbage bag filled with air, a soft light or buzzing noises – will act side-by-side with the human performers onstage. Our stages are structured through a perspective that tries to dismantle their anthropocentric tradition. We hope that the bodies in our performances could be frail, limited, dependent on the relations around them, capable of blending into others. Hybrid and cyborg. Lingering around porous borders. Our works are not uniform and they cannot be located within a single genre. They experiment and reach out to various art forms and traditions. They try to help us see differently, to experience empathy for ourselves, as well as for others. To hear signals overrun by noise.

Collaborators have included among others: Zodiak, The Finnish National Theatre, ANTI – Contemporary Art Festival, Kiasma Theatre / ARS17, Helsinki Festival, Ehkä-production/Kutomo, Kanuti Gildi SAAL (EST), Sõltumatu Tantsu Lava STL (EST), Baltoscandal Festival (EST), Santarcangelo dei Teatri (ITA), Arts Centre BUDA (BEL), New Baltic Dance Platform (LTU), METEOR-Festival (NOR), Ice Hot Nordic Dance Platform (ISL), Culture Center ZILL (RUS)

Our work in 2020 is supported by: Arts Promotion Center Finland, City of Helsinki, The Finnish Cultural Foundation, Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, TelepART Mobility Support.

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FULL ARTIST STATEMENT