SAME SONG, NEW SONGLINEs
(2016)
Sound Installation
dimensions variable
Map of Karelija, duraclear print 50 x 50 cm
Wallpaper of youtube comments, digital print, 250 x 365 cm
same song (artist's collection of Säkkijärven Polkka) in directional speakers
triads of random pitches that can be heard in the whole space
Commissioned by Kalmar Art Museum
Same Song, New Songline is a sound installation consisting of two sound pieces. The first one is combination triads of random pitches and the second one is artist's collection of different versions of an old Finnish song called Säkkijärven Polkka. The song is one of the most covered and recorded songs in Finland and it's popular to the extent that it can be called their national anthem.
According to Finnish legend during the Continuation War, the Finnish Army discovered that the retreating Soviets had scattered radio-controlled mines throughout the re-captured city of Viipuri. These mines were set to explode when a three-note chord was played on the frequency the radio was tuned to. Once the Army discovered how the mines worked, a mobile radio transmitter was brought to Viipuri, and Säkkijärven Polkka was played to interfere with the Soviet Union transmission. They played the song continuously from August 1941 until 2 February 1942, about 1,500 times.
The project is based on a research of radio propaganda and sonic warfare in Nordic/Baltic area carried out by Scociete Anonyme Ahlqvist in 2011-12.
Sound design: Martti Anttila
Graphic design: Alireza Latifian