According to Cicero, evolution signifies the unfolding of a scroll. Evolutions unfolds the world views of youths, structures of film-making as well as the thin line between fact and fiction. Topical at a time when reality is often merely packaged fiction.

The piece has been realised communally. The seven episodes in the film, the seven stories about world views and the birth of the universe, have been created together with youths from 12 to 19 years old who share a passion for theatre and participate in the activities of Narri youth theatre. The stage for each episode and story is set up in a film studio. Minimalist sets, artificial lighting and authentic sounds morph the studio, a ”blank canvas”, into a temporary surface of projection for each protagonist’s world view. The episodes are variations on the same theme.

In Evolutions constructed images and scenes are contextualised through the process of film-making. The piece is nevertheless a hybrid, incorporating elements of experimental film and video art, performance art and theatre. The staged nature of the piece is accentuated by the use of sculptural deities, mirrors, waves replicating the ones created by Sabatini for 16th century Italian opera, as well as 18th century etchings by Wenceslaus Hollar depicting the seven days of creation in the Book of Genesis. The minimal sets and objects used in the film carry multiple meanings and references. This creates a friction between the real and its representation, between fact and fiction.

(- excerpt from a text written by writer and curator Marita Muukkonen)

Jani Ruscica

Evolutions (2008)

16mm film transferred to HD and digital beta

stereo sound

17 min. loop

Performers:

Erofili Papadakis

Ilmari Järvenpää

Katja Paju

Miila Virtanen

Paula Hongisto

Johannes Nikitin

Sanna Väisänen

Onerva Järvenpää

& Tellu the turtle

Written and directed based on interviews with the performers:

Jani Ruscica

Cinematography: Anu Keränen

Set design: Juhana Hirvonen

Editing: Tiina Aarniala, Jani Ruscica

Sound design and sound recording: Anne Tolkkinen

Camera assistant:Mika Ailasmaa

Lighting: Mauri Haapala

Electrician: Sami Kuokkanen

Set construction: Emilia Nieminen, Juho Reivo

Still photography: Sini Pelkki

Titles: Henri Tani

Subtitle translation: Rosa Aaltonen

On-line: Antti Peltoranta/ Digital Film Finland

Color timing: Outi Kinnunen/ Digital Film Finland

Financial support:

AVEK / Milla Moilanen

SES / Elina Kivihalme

In co-operation:

YLE yhteistuotannot Sari Volanen

Jani Ruscica (b. 1978, Finland/Italy) lives and works in Helsinki. They work with moving and printed images, sculpture and performance. Central to the artist’s practice is the slippage and simultaneity of meaning animated by forms that move, stretch, shape-shift, and exceed the borders of time, space, and bodies. Ruscica was awarded the AVEK prize in 2010, the William Thuring main prize in 2018 and is currently nominated for the 2025 Ars Fennica prize.

Ruscica has studied sculpture at Chelsea College of Art & Design in London (BA 2002) and new media at the Academy of Fine Arts in Helsinki (MA 2007). Ruscica has held numerous solo exhibitions, most recently at Kunsthalle Helsinki (2022) and at 1646 Art Space in the Hague (2021). Their work has been included in numerous group exhibitions internationally; Kiran Nadar Museum, New Delhi (2023); 6. Dhaka Art Summit, Bangladesh (2023); HAM Helsinki Art Museum (2023); MMOMA, Moscow (2021); AGWA, Perth (2020); and 1. Riga biennale RIBOCA (2018). Ruscica’s works are held in the collections of the Centre Pompidou, Saastamoinen foundation and Kiasma among others