WAUHAUS is a Helsinki-based multidisciplinary arts collective that was founded in 2016. Their works are situated between different genres of art and have taken place at various venues, such as gallery spaces, small black box venues, urban sites, large stadiums, and the main stages of established theatre houses. WAUHAUS is known for their comprehensive audiovisual stage aesthetics and methods of shared authorship. The members of the collective are scenographer Laura Haapakangas, director Juni Klein, scenographer Samuli Laine, sound designer Jussi Matikainen, choreographer Jarkko Partanen, sound designer Heidi Soidinsalo, and managing director Julia Hovi.
WAUHAUS collaborates with artists and institutions both in Finland and abroad. Their works have been presented at e.g. the Helsinki Biennial, Helsinki Art Museum HAM, & Espoo Theatre, National Theatre of Finland, Zodiak – Centre for New Dance (FI), Kiasma Theatre (FI), Helsinki Festival, ANTI – Contemporary Art Festival (FI), Kanuti Gildi SAAL (EE), Sõltumatu Tantsu Lava (EE), Baltoscandal festival (EE), Multiplié Dance Festival (NO), ICE HOT Nordic Dance Platform (FI, NO & IS), New Baltic Dance Platform (LT), Santarcangelo Festival (IT), METEOR International Theatre Festival (NO), Homo Novus Festival (LV) and Vooruit (BE).
Change is always relational; it unfolds through making and remaking connections.
The historical era of the Renaissance refers, among other things, to a world view based on anthropocentrism and science. Through a series of evaporations, dissolvements, transitions, and transformations, the needing and feeding bodies of Renaissance are set against old ideals and proportions that transcend the individual human. While human statues are set in stone, human ideals bleed and leak.
In Renaissance the audience is invited to surrender to wonder, change, and play – an ode to dreaming and the power of the unknown. The messy alienation, animality, and sexuality of human beings bursts through. Bodies become streams or fountains, endlessly gushing forth or bleeding dry. Something is destroyed, while something is born and transformed anew.
The premiere was at Dance House Helsinki in December 2024, co-produced by WAUHAUS and Zodiak – Centre for New Dance.
