Merle Karp is a Helsinki-based visual designer, video artist and VJ, also known as Folded Visuals.
She is the festival director and a co-founder of Aavistus Festival.
She is the festival director and a co-founder of Aavistus Festival.
Skills & services
Art direction
Branding
Creative concepts
Visual concepts
Graphic design
Editorial design
Motion graphics
Live visuals
Branding
Creative concepts
Visual concepts
Graphic design
Editorial design
Motion graphics
Live visuals
Contact
Upcoming
↳ Flow Festival, resident VJ for the Other Sound stage & video sculpture Fluvial Time, 14.–16.8.2026, Helsinki
↳ Midgard, VJ performance, 22.8.2026. Grotesk, Helsinki
↳ Midgard, VJ performance, 28.8.2026. Grotesk, Helsinki
↳ Siirtymä Festival, group exhibition, 5.9.2026, Tampere
↳ ON: Maintenance as Design, group exhibition, 17.9.–1.11.2026, Culture Station Seoul 284, Republic of Korea
↳ Kuopio Media Art Festival, group exhibition, 19.9.–25.10.2026, Kuopio
↳ Creative Nerd, group exhibition, 25.9.–19.10.2026, Kaapelitehdas Helsinki
↳ Aavistus Festival 2026, Festival director, 30.9.–4.10.2026, Helsinki
↳ Untouched Realms AV album with Heikki Lindgren. To be published by Flaming Pines on 16.10.2026
↳ Joint exhibition TBA 1–2/2027, Helsinki
↳ Midgard, VJ performance, 22.8.2026. Grotesk, Helsinki
↳ Midgard, VJ performance, 28.8.2026. Grotesk, Helsinki
↳ Siirtymä Festival, group exhibition, 5.9.2026, Tampere
↳ ON: Maintenance as Design, group exhibition, 17.9.–1.11.2026, Culture Station Seoul 284, Republic of Korea
↳ Kuopio Media Art Festival, group exhibition, 19.9.–25.10.2026, Kuopio
↳ Creative Nerd, group exhibition, 25.9.–19.10.2026, Kaapelitehdas Helsinki
↳ Aavistus Festival 2026, Festival director, 30.9.–4.10.2026, Helsinki
↳ Untouched Realms AV album with Heikki Lindgren. To be published by Flaming Pines on 16.10.2026
↳ Joint exhibition TBA 1–2/2027, Helsinki
Installations, exhibitions & screenings
2026
↳ PLAKAT! Poster exhibition, Vapaan taiteen tila, Helsinki
↳ Ways of Making, Väre Espoo
↳ 11001 Digital Sculpture, Vallilan panimon galleria, Helsinki
↳ Kaskeajat, Väre Espoo
2025
↳ The Pavilion – Architecture of Stewardship, Finnish pavilion at the Venice Biennial, Italy
↳ Aikaan piirrettyjä viivoja, Luonnos gallery Helsinki
↳ Aaltoja! Light Art Festival, Kotka
↳ Undercurrents of memory, Yö gallery Helsinki
↳ Unframed at TAD Week, Tampere
↳ PLX Tjärö, Blekinge, Sweden
↳ Visualizing Knowledge 2025, Espoo
↳ OOO (Out of Office) Exhibition, Oslo, Norway
↳ Polar Night Light Festival, Ruka
2024
↳ Brussels Planetarium Poetry Fest, Brussels (Belgium)
↳ Projio 2024, Tampere
↳ Reflektor Sotkamo, Sotkamo
↳ Into the Woods festival. Unnaryd (Sweden)
↳ Nature as Magic – a quiet revolution. Swale House, New York
↳ body–text–space. Luonnos, Helsinki
↳ Shapeshifters. Plantin-Moretus Museum, Antwerp (Belgium)
↳ Tapiolan yö, Espoo
↳ PLAKAT! Poster exhibition, Vapaan taiteen tila, Helsinki
↳ Ways of Making, Väre Espoo
↳ 11001 Digital Sculpture, Vallilan panimon galleria, Helsinki
↳ Kaskeajat, Väre Espoo
2025
↳ The Pavilion – Architecture of Stewardship, Finnish pavilion at the Venice Biennial, Italy
↳ Aikaan piirrettyjä viivoja, Luonnos gallery Helsinki
↳ Aaltoja! Light Art Festival, Kotka
↳ Undercurrents of memory, Yö gallery Helsinki
↳ Unframed at TAD Week, Tampere
↳ PLX Tjärö, Blekinge, Sweden
↳ Visualizing Knowledge 2025, Espoo
↳ OOO (Out of Office) Exhibition, Oslo, Norway
↳ Polar Night Light Festival, Ruka
2024
↳ Brussels Planetarium Poetry Fest, Brussels (Belgium)
↳ Projio 2024, Tampere
↳ Reflektor Sotkamo, Sotkamo
↳ Into the Woods festival. Unnaryd (Sweden)
↳ Nature as Magic – a quiet revolution. Swale House, New York
↳ body–text–space. Luonnos, Helsinki
↳ Shapeshifters. Plantin-Moretus Museum, Antwerp (Belgium)
↳ Tapiolan yö, Espoo
2023
↳ Reflektor Light Art Festival, Vantaa
↳ Prima Vista Poetry Festival, Tartu (Estonia)
↳ Flow Festival, Helsinki
↳ Arctic Sounds, Sisimiut (Greenland)
↳ Talven ja valon juhla, Heinola
↳ MONUMENT x CCTV, Stockholm (Sweden)
2022
↳ Designs for a Cooler Planet, Espoo
↳ Bella Skyway Festival, Tórun (Poland)
↳ Flow Festival, Helsinki
2021
↳ Reflektor Light Art Festival, Espoo
↳ Ars 108, Nokia
↳ Polar Night Light Festival, Ruka
2019
↳ Museum of Finnish Architecture, Helsinki
↳ Apupyörä, Helsinki
2018
↳ Hear Art – See Sound Festival, Lori (Armenia)
↳ Ihmelehto, Helsinki
↳ Aktiiviloma festival, Inkoo
↳ Entropy 25V, Helsinki
↳ Roban avajaiset, Helsinki
2014–2017
↳ I Land Sound Festival, Saaremaa (Estonia)
↳ Metsareiv, Ulge (Estonia)
↳ Kuru Plirr Festival, Estonia
↳ Unhola, Helsinki
↳ Kiehumispiste, Helsinki
↳ MAA-tila, Helsinki
↳ Reflektor Light Art Festival, Vantaa
↳ Prima Vista Poetry Festival, Tartu (Estonia)
↳ Flow Festival, Helsinki
↳ Arctic Sounds, Sisimiut (Greenland)
↳ Talven ja valon juhla, Heinola
↳ MONUMENT x CCTV, Stockholm (Sweden)
2022
↳ Designs for a Cooler Planet, Espoo
↳ Bella Skyway Festival, Tórun (Poland)
↳ Flow Festival, Helsinki
2021
↳ Reflektor Light Art Festival, Espoo
↳ Ars 108, Nokia
↳ Polar Night Light Festival, Ruka
2019
↳ Museum of Finnish Architecture, Helsinki
↳ Apupyörä, Helsinki
2018
↳ Hear Art – See Sound Festival, Lori (Armenia)
↳ Ihmelehto, Helsinki
↳ Aktiiviloma festival, Inkoo
↳ Entropy 25V, Helsinki
↳ Roban avajaiset, Helsinki
2014–2017
↳ I Land Sound Festival, Saaremaa (Estonia)
↳ Metsareiv, Ulge (Estonia)
↳ Kuru Plirr Festival, Estonia
↳ Unhola, Helsinki
↳ Kiehumispiste, Helsinki
↳ MAA-tila, Helsinki
Interviews, discussions & articles
2024
↳ Sveriges radio P4 Halland, interview, 18.7.
2023
↳ Hello Forest! Hello Spirits! A seminar on Finnish mythology, speaker, Oodi, 11.12.2023
2022
↳ Rajapinnalla / Bad UI was featured in Plymouth University's Message Journal, a peer-reviewed journal on graphic design research.
↳ Nordic culture & underground funding, panelist, Aavistus Festival, 6.10.
↳ Nordic Lights panel discussion, moderator, Nonagon Festival, 16.8.
↳ Luna Radio programme on IDA Radio. 14.9.
↳ Sveriges radio P4 Halland, interview, 18.7.
2023
↳ Hello Forest! Hello Spirits! A seminar on Finnish mythology, speaker, Oodi, 11.12.2023
2022
↳ Rajapinnalla / Bad UI was featured in Plymouth University's Message Journal, a peer-reviewed journal on graphic design research.
↳ Nordic culture & underground funding, panelist, Aavistus Festival, 6.10.
↳ Nordic Lights panel discussion, moderator, Nonagon Festival, 16.8.
↳ Luna Radio programme on IDA Radio. 14.9.
2021
↳ Valoterapiaa kaamokseen. Koillissanomat 25.1.
↳ Videotaiteilija pohtii ristiriitaa kaukokaipuun ja matkailun kestämättömyyden välillä. Kaleva 22.1.
2020
↳ VJ-kulttuuri sai ensimmäisen kotimaisen festivaalinsa. Yle News 4.10.2020
↳ Yle TV news, interview, 4.10.2020
↳ Aavistus Festival artist talk, moderator, 3.10.2020
↳ Valoterapiaa kaamokseen. Koillissanomat 25.1.
↳ Videotaiteilija pohtii ristiriitaa kaukokaipuun ja matkailun kestämättömyyden välillä. Kaleva 22.1.
2020
↳ VJ-kulttuuri sai ensimmäisen kotimaisen festivaalinsa. Yle News 4.10.2020
↳ Yle TV news, interview, 4.10.2020
↳ Aavistus Festival artist talk, moderator, 3.10.2020
2018
↳ Last night a VJ saved my life, panel discussion by Entropy & Helsinki City Museum, panelist
↳ Last night a VJ saved my life, panel discussion by Entropy & Helsinki City Museum, panelist
2017
↳ Entropy's VJ course, lecturer
↳ Entropy's VJ course, lecturer
Live visual performances
2026 (11)
↳ Dome Dreaming Fulldome Festival, 𝑓ourest album release performance, Helsinki Pride Naistenbileet, Hot Girl Club, Loukku, Maunula Electronic, Midgard Social Health Club, Oddfest, Signature Dark, Ääniaalto Festival.
2025 (17)
↳ Art for All, Avaruusajan kosminen teatteri, Backed, Entropy, Flow Festival, Grotesk, Kotimaan teknokatsaus XV, Norbergfestival, Oddfest, Signature Dark.
2024 (12)
↳ Designs for a Cooler Planet 2024, Entropy 30v, Flow Festival, Grotesk, H(E)AVEN, Into the Woods festival (SE), Rare Rave, Tanner, Ääniwalli.
↳ Resident VJ at Kaiku, Helsinki.
2023 (31)
↳ Arctic Sounds (GL), Backed, Downtown Calling Festival, Flow Festival, Grotesk, H(E)AVEN, Ihmelehto, LOVI ambient club, Maskerad, Signature Dark, Taseralik Cultural Centre (GL), Troubleshooting, TYEMYY, Ääniaalto Festival.
↳ Resident VJ at Kaiku, Helsinki.
2022 (9)
↳ Dance Theatre Minimi, DTM, H(e)aven, Korgy, Nonagon Festival (SE), Zodiak Helsinki, Ääniaalto Festival, Ääniwalli.
↳ Resident VJ at Kaiku, Helsinki.
↳ Dance Theatre Minimi, DTM, H(e)aven, Korgy, Nonagon Festival (SE), Zodiak Helsinki, Ääniaalto Festival, Ääniwalli.
↳ Resident VJ at Kaiku, Helsinki.
2021 (8)
↳ CCTV (SE), DTM, Drifts Festival, Elektron Festival (EE), Kotimaan teknokatsaus, Pixelache Festival, Slush, TYEMYY, Ääniwalli.
↳ CCTV (SE), DTM, Drifts Festival, Elektron Festival (EE), Kotimaan teknokatsaus, Pixelache Festival, Slush, TYEMYY, Ääniwalli.
2020 (11)
↳ Aavistus Festival, Kaiku, Kultti, LOVI ambient club, Nordic Audiovisual Artists (SE), Pixelache, Sumu, Troubleshooting, TYEMYY & more.
↳ Aavistus Festival, Kaiku, Kultti, LOVI ambient club, Nordic Audiovisual Artists (SE), Pixelache, Sumu, Troubleshooting, TYEMYY & more.
2019 (21)
↳ Apareiv (EE), Kaiku, Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall (KZ), Kontula Electronic, Kotimaan teknokatsaus, LOVI ambient club, MYÖS, Querelle Festival, Uni (EE), Visio Festival & more.
↳ Resident VJ for Thrdeyevsn.
↳ Apareiv (EE), Kaiku, Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall (KZ), Kontula Electronic, Kotimaan teknokatsaus, LOVI ambient club, MYÖS, Querelle Festival, Uni (EE), Visio Festival & more.
↳ Resident VJ for Thrdeyevsn.
2018 (29)
↳ AAVE Festival, Entropy, Forum Box, Ihmelehto, Kaiku, Kotimaan teknokatsaus, Medicineheads (NO), Proper Settings, Turku Modern Festival & more.
↳ Resident VJ for Thrdeyevsn.
↳ AAVE Festival, Entropy, Forum Box, Ihmelehto, Kaiku, Kotimaan teknokatsaus, Medicineheads (NO), Proper Settings, Turku Modern Festival & more.
↳ Resident VJ for Thrdeyevsn.
2017 (36)
↳ Flow Festival, Grelle Forelle (AT), Hytky, I Land Sound Festival (EE), Ihmelehto, Kaiku, Kotimaan teknokatsaus, Kuudes linja, Norbergfestival (SE), Playground AV Festival (AT), Urban Apa x Ateneum, Ääniwalli & more.
↳ Resident VJ for Thrdeyevsn.
↳ Flow Festival, Grelle Forelle (AT), Hytky, I Land Sound Festival (EE), Ihmelehto, Kaiku, Kotimaan teknokatsaus, Kuudes linja, Norbergfestival (SE), Playground AV Festival (AT), Urban Apa x Ateneum, Ääniwalli & more.
↳ Resident VJ for Thrdeyevsn.
2013–2016 (68)
↳ Diskometsä, Hytky, Kaiku, Kultti Festival, Kuudes linja, Sideways after party, Trax Casino, Unhola & more.
↳ Diskometsä, Hytky, Kaiku, Kultti Festival, Kuudes linja, Sideways after party, Trax Casino, Unhola & more.
Awards & honours
↳ Visualia artist residency, April-May & July 2024. Invited artist. Glommen, Sweden
↳ Vuoden Huiput 2023 design award. Jury member for Young Creatives
↳ Vuoden Huiput 2022 design award. Young Creatives Award finalist
↳ Vuoden Huiput 2023 design award. Jury member for Young Creatives
↳ Vuoden Huiput 2022 design award. Young Creatives Award finalist
Collective efforts
2019–present
↳ Co-founder, festival director, Aavistus Festival
2021–2022
↳ Co-founder, co-curator, Nordic Lights residency programme
2019–present
↳ Co-founder, festival director, Aavistus Festival
2021–2022
↳ Co-founder, co-curator, Nordic Lights residency programme