In 2005, I  got asked to an interesting production, to a dance performance “Nobody knows”. The production was made by Zodiak – the center for new dance. The production team was like a big family; we all were adopted by the choreographer-composer couple. And there were a huge amount of people; 5 adult performers, 6 child performers, choreographer, lighting designer, costume designer, set designer composer, musician…and sometimes all the kids who belonged to the work group people. 

The main idea of the performance was to show a child  in the world of adults. The adult world looked busy, depressed, without joy and filled with duties, while a kid was only to observe that, and maybe to a victim of the busy life of their parents. No cosy environments, no warmth, no time to listen or communicate. 

We decided to rent an old factory hall (Cable Factory, Helsinki)  for our performing space, to underline the size of a kid in a adult build environment. A huge space, a small child. We also decided to have shows during the day and evening. Therefore one could see through the big windows to the surrounding city and think that view as a extension to what we performed inside. No one could ever know what might happen outside the windows during the performance. This of course put more than one thought to lighting designers mind, how to light 2 totally different scenes, one in daylight and one during the magic blue moment getting to dark. 

The lighting itself became discreet and highlighted the space more than the dancers, almost like static lighting . It was a mood of the hall that changed around the happenings on the performing area. It was cold and warm, it was shadows to hide to, it was reflections from the gigantic windows, and it spoke about the little kid inside a huge world. And it spoke about the kid who had secrets that nobody knew, at least no one adult knew.

Kukaan ei Tiedä/Nobody Knows credits

• choreography ~Hanna Brotherus
• composer~ Antti Ikonen
• lighting ~ Katja Muttilainen
• space~ Lotta Esko
• costumes~Karoliina Koiso-Kanttila
• lyrics ~Anni Sinnemäki
• sound design ~ Mika Kettunen
• musician ~ Tuomo Lassila
• producer ~ Nepu Väyrynen
• graphic design and photography ~ Marko Mäkinen
• performers ~ Amor Brotherus, Johannes Brotherus, Robert Brotherus, Anja Erämaja, Heikki Harva, Riina Huhtanen, Tatu Hämäläinen, Inka Kallén, Oksana Lommi, Inka Pohjonen, Teo Schiffer, Astrid Valente
• Photography by Marko Mäkinen