I AM YOU, A Performance Artist

Helinä Hukkataival performing in Venice, Italy. Photo: TPL, 2024.

Original title: Minä olen sinä, performanssitaiteilija
Genre: Documentary
Duration: 52’
Script & Director: Tuuli Penttinen-Lampisuo
Art historian: Mervi Appel
DOPs: Hannu Kärenlampi, Sami Sänpäkkilä et al.
Sound design: Pinja Mustajoki
Sound recording: Tero Kontinen et al.
Editor: Alison Taylor
Graphic design: Anne Virta
Finance:
Research: Finnish Cultural Foundation
Writing: Pirkanmaa Arts Council / Arts Promotion Centre Finland
Phase: In research / writing
Producer: Tuuli Penttinen-Lampisuo / Poike Productio

Teaser by request:
t u u l i @ p o i k e . f i

After retiring from 35 years of teaching, Helinä Hukkataival began a new career as a performance artist. She set herself in public spaces, facing forward, or all immersed in her chores.

While visiting an artist residency in Rome, she found the legend of Mary and Martha, and the teachings of Saint Bridget, whose statement began to emerge in Hukkataival’s art: In order to become Mary, one must first be Martha.

Hukkataival’s works deal with womanhood, loaded with shame and eternal responsibilities. Seemingly, she herself cannot stop working. At the age of 84 she performs wearing a modest black dress and a scarf. As Martha she cleans, knits and does the laundry. And once more Hukkataival dreams of returning to Rome to perform there.

Instead of the artist’s personal life the documentary film focuses on her art, analyzing the impacts rising from her calm and quietly humorous acts. Although, even some hidden anger might appear as Martha keeps tearing clothes and linen into the wefts of rag rugs.