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The Strangers’ Concert for Strangers

The Strangers’ Concert for Strangers “We, a group of artists from New York City, and the asylum seekers have something in common: We are both total strangers in Helsinki!” A group of young artists from New York City will organize an improvisation after a series of workshops for the asylum seekers in an asylum seekers reception centre in Helsinki. A public concert with the workshop participants will be held at the Kirjasto 10 (Elielinaukio 2G, 00100 Helsinki) on 1st September 2016: 15-16.30 . Welcome!

In Finnish:
Muukalaisten konsertti muukalaisille “Meillä, ryhmällä New Yorkilaisia taiteilijoita ja turvapaikanhakijoilla on jotain yhteistä: Olemme molemmat muukalaisia Helsingissä! “ Ryhmä nuoria taiteilijoita New Yorkista järjestää improvisaatiokonsertin, joka pohjautuu työpajoihin, joita taiteilijat ovat järjestäneet turvapaikanhakijoiden vastaanottokeskuksessa Helsingissä. Turvapaikanhakijoiden kanssa yhteistyössä toteutettava konsertti järjestetään Kirjasto 10:nessä (Elielinaukio 2G, 00100 Helsinki) torstaina 1.9. klo 15-16,30. Tervetuloa!

A Mural for the Reception Center

We used artists’ tape and various fabrics to create a mural for the reception center. The asylum seeking children had the most influence over the design. We believe that the children are very talented and that they were able to make a very beautiful work. The most important aspect of the mural however, was the enjoyment that the kids had in making it. The Hyo Shin team is glad that these children have been introduced to new forms of expression that they can use on their own now.

A Fishing Net 

The Hyo Shin team and the asylum seekers connected strands of blue rope and multicolored yarn to create a large artwork that resembles a fishing net. We were able to create complex and artful patterns and forms. The irregularity of the structures is really what makes the piece beautiful.

The blue rope can be interpreted to represent the Finnish people, and the yarn can stand for the asylum seekers that have come from countries all over the world. Both groups are indubitably linked, and they compliment each other.

Day 1: Arts & Music Workshop with the Asylum Seekers

Today we introduced our project and goals to the asylum seekers. It turned out that the seekers were much more enthusiastic about music and art than we expected. We sang a variety of songs on this first day: some people were only familiar with songs from musicals, yet some only recognized Christmas carols; one little girl was very passionate about the songs from Disney’s Frozen; we even taught the whole group to sing Arirang. We really enjoyed trying to understand the seekers’ talents and their musical inclinations.

The seekers, even in the face of all their hardships, were very lively, patient and cooperative with us. We can attribute this attitude to the power of music in raising spirits and bringing people together.

Man from Afghanistan

We met a man from Afghanistan called Ali who explained to us his arduous journey. He traveled for 6 months, going from Russia, Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, and many more countries just to find a place to stay. He finally landed in Finland four days ago. He is very pleased with Finland.