About

Idea & format

TRE TRE TRE is conceptualised as a curatorial format that brings together a series of processes and experiments situated in three different forest regions in the North Eastern corner of the Nordic countries. The forests of Pasvik, Paljakka and Temminki-Markkatieva are located at a distance of approximately 800 km from each other. Together they form a triangle.

Here, fieldwork is being conducted by small groups of artists and various other knowledge carriers. As we return to the forest with artistic tools, methods and gestures, we contribute towards weaving vessels of sensual knowledges, resting in forest-human relationships, and founded on the basis of each contributor's particular practice and affinities. Do we sense the knowing? As the processes gradually ground the work within these places, they make physical and imaginary connections between the three forest localities. They gradually perform a triangulation.

‘Triangulation’ is a term found in different fields. It is a method used in sociology and in geometry. In art it has been used to stress non-binary worldviews¹. Three, as a number, is considered auspicious, and even sacred, in most mystical traditions. In physics, the number is too large to describe, while mathematics says to prove that it exists. In some indigenous languages, only the numbers one and two exist, while the number after two indicates 'more'. Many words with the prefix tri- also have the meaning of more than two (e.g. the word Tribe).

In cartography, triangulation is an outdated method from when land surveyors physically measured and staked out elevations and distances using optical devices and physical measuring sticks (now replaced by GPS and trilateration). This resembles the acts of TRE TRE TRE, where bodies and instruments are physically placed and in motion in the forest. One can only partially contribute to the simple principle of triangulation: That observation from more than two points provides a richer opportunity to understand phenomena.

Background & partners

TRE TRE TRE is founded on the idea of a longterm collaboration between three partners that base their artistic work on local situations and contexts from different, but similar, positions: Mustarinda located in the forest in the border area between Hyrynsalmi and Poulanka east in Kainuu, Lena Ylipää in the village of Lainio east in Kiruna kommun, and Hilde Methi in Kirkenes, Sør-Varanger, in Eastern Finnmark. TRE TRE TRE is (since 2022) being formulated and envisioned as a loosely knit network of local and visiting art-knowledge-contributors working in parallell and crossing paths, which would in the longer run allow for fruitful exchanges between the Triangle of ‘peripheries’ and forest-localities with other localities.

Pasvik, Paljakka & Temminiki-Markkatieva are forests and communities in the so-called “periphery” of the Nordics. These regions are experiencing change due to recent geopolitical shifts, climate change, depopulation, new initiatives in energy production, and the continued threat of centralisation of social services. With events and research on ecologies of soil substrate, forest and rural communities, TRE TRE TRE wish to challenge understandings and alter the cultural values of "rurality" and "periphery", and disrupt the value systems that see these places, localities and positions as mere extractable "resource areas".

Partners & contributors: Neal Cahoon, Mar Fjell, Marlin Anhell, Rusto Myllylahti, Kristin Taarnesvik, Remi Vesala, Sallamari Rantila, Miina Kaatinen, Kajsa Møllersen, Jade Kallio and Espen Sommer Eide and Nora S. Vaage, Annike Flo, Ursula Münster, Marianne Lien, Cornelya Klutsch (NIBIO Svarhovd) as part of the Norwegian & International research project "Antropogenic Soils" [SOILS], .