ENTANGLEMENT
A CROSS DISCIPLINARY ARTISTIC PROJECT


Photos and videos: Vesa Loikas
ENTANGLEMENT
A cross-disciplinary artistic project of the intricate connections between an oak forest, its trees, vegetation, animals and us human beings by Maria Nurmela, Vesa Loikas and Jane Sheldon
Drawing upon a merging of contemporary dance, vibrant imagery, augmented reality with 3D enhancements, and captivating soundscapes to better understand our place in the biosphere, dance artist Maria Nurmela, photographer/filmmaker Vesa Loikas and composer Jane Sheldon turn to the ancient oak grove in Vaarniemi, Kaarina, Finland. Their artistic exploration will result in an immersive multichannel installation, an aesthetic-embodied ecosystem in which nature, human biology and the layered reality of the meta-level intertwine in a networked narrative, intended to stimulate our senses and emotions – and prompt contemplation about our role in preserving biodiversity.



Coexistence and dialogues with the more-than-human world
"Entanglement" emerges from embodiment, contemporary dance, visual media, and sound design, incorporating AI and AR technologies. The philosophical concepts of autopoiesis, enactivism, and phenomenology inspire us. Autopoiesis guides our research on life’s endless interconnectedness and the autonomous and self-creating nature of living systems. Phenomenology encourages us to examine our immediate, pre-reflective experiences and uncover the underlying meanings and structures that shape our perceptions and actions. Through enactivist principles, we aim to develop a richer understanding of the complexities of human experience, which then informs the construction of the immersive installation.
Our collaboration with humans and more than human entities thrives on a constant and genuine dialogue. We work with shared somatic practice to create a certain state of attunement We aim to achieve empathic co-existence to cultivate conversations with the oak forest inhabitants. We use immersive technology to deepen the dialogue between us and more than the human world. This dialogue reveals subtleties that we express through a new visual, performative meaning and form.
The final work will be a hybrid, durational and site-responsive installation with a live performance consisting of loop-shaped, multi-channel video projections of physical and virtual sculptures with immersive soundscapes.
Entanglement will provide its audience with an immersive, multi-sensory and visceral experience.





Entanglement will be a compelling narrative and a sensory time capsule preserving the essence of a distinct disappearing era in the heart of one Oak forest of many.
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to mesh the human and more than human world and emerging technology in a cross-disciplinary and sensuous process
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to invite the audience to be part of and within a sensory experience that will allow understanding of the oak forest ecosystem and humanity’s place within it.
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inclusive work for all audiences, from children to seniors
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the work is adaptable for various spaces, sizes, audiences
Watch the trailer

CREDITS
Concept: MARIA NURMELA & VESA LOIKAS
FIlm Director, Cinematography & Photography: VESA LOIKAS
Choreography: MARIA NURMELA
Composition,Voice and Sound: JANE SHELDON
Performers: JONNA AALTONEN, MARIA NURMELA & GESA PIPER
Mentored by BART HM VANDEPUT
Original poems "Mein Leben ist nicht diese steile Stunde"
& "Die Liebende" by Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 - 1926)
Locations: Vaarniemi Nature Reserve in Kaarina, Manilla Culture Factory Turku and Taiteen talo Turku, Finland.
So far, parts of the ENTAGLEMENT project has been featured in these events:

Nordic dance platform Oslo - Feb 14-18 2024
In February 2024 Maria Nurmela and Vesa Loikas pitched ENTANGLEMENT at MORE MORE MORE Ice Hot Nordic Dance platform for professional delegates around the world in Oslo - this was truly an honor for us since only 39 out of 450 applicants from all the Nordic countries were selected.
Supported by


FANTASIA exhibition in Vienna, Austria
- April - May 2024.
ENTANGLEMENT Augmented Reality art work was a part of the FANTASIA exhibition in Vienna, Austria - April - May 2024.












