ROLE
Director
Motion design
Videography
Motion design
Videography
ABOUT
Shown on big glowing screens between snowy slopes or in the October night, Hehku explores the feelings that are evoked when we see images of lush, warm summer in the middle of the cold and dark.
Will the light and warmth emitted from the screens and shown in the video soothe our minds by reminding us of summer or will they induce a wanderlust for a winter getaway in the tropics? If so, how does one relate to their desire for long-haul travel when the very act of travelling can be harmful for the nature in the destination?
EXHIBITIONS
Aaltoja! Light Art Festival, Kotka 15.–18.10.2025
MONUMENT x CCTV, Stockholm, 11.2.2023
Bella Skyway Festival, Torun Poland,16.–20.8.2022
Flow Festival, Helsinki,12.–14.8.2022
Reflektor Light Art Festival, Espoo, 7.–10.10.2021
Polar Night Light festival, Ruka 14.–30.1.2021
MONUMENT x CCTV, Stockholm, 11.2.2023
Bella Skyway Festival, Torun Poland,16.–20.8.2022
Flow Festival, Helsinki,12.–14.8.2022
Reflektor Light Art Festival, Espoo, 7.–10.10.2021
Polar Night Light festival, Ruka 14.–30.1.2021
FEATURED
"Merle Karp’s double-channel video installation of resplendent nature felt atmospheric rather than being a work about the terrifying future implications of climate change.
“Light and video works may be considered abstract compared to other art forms,” said the collective’s artistic director Matti Jykylä. “But this exhibition is about reality. Merle Karp's video piece can be utopic on the surface but as South Europe, California etc are burning, the work becomes super concrete.”"
“Light and video works may be considered abstract compared to other art forms,” said the collective’s artistic director Matti Jykylä. “But this exhibition is about reality. Merle Karp's video piece can be utopic on the surface but as South Europe, California etc are burning, the work becomes super concrete.”"
– The Art Newspaper, 18.8.2022: Helsinki’s Flow Festival is a pioneering carbon neutral event—but its art shows get lost in the decor
Kaleva on 22.1.2021: Videotaiteilija pohtii ristiriitaa kaukokaipuun ja matkailun kestämättömyyden välillä – katso, miltä näyttää Polar Night Light -festivaalilla tänä vuonna.
Koillissanomat on 25.1.2021: Valoterapiaa kaamokseen – Videoinstallaatio pohtii ristiriitaa, mutta toimii myös valoterapiana.
Installation view from Polar Night Light Festival. Mikko Halvari
Installation view from Reflektor Light Art Festival. Hannu Iso-Oja
Tanu Kallio / Kaupunkitapahtumat Espoo
Hannu Iso-Oja
Hannu Iso-Oja