2011
RedHead III

2011
RedHead I

2010
Performassi Njalla / Performance Arctic fox



In my performance I want to speak out for Finland with no fur farms. With mystical gestures in my performance I would like to apologize the human egotism from generation of arctic foxes that are no longer with us and would like to welcome them back to our nature in Finland.

In the 19th century, the arctic fox, called njalla in Sámi language was quite common in Finland. In the beginning of 20th century it was almost hunted to extinction due to a human egotism. Arctic fox was protected in 1940.

In Finland arctic fox, njalla is extremely endangered mammal and was last seen to nest in 1996 near river Utsjoki. In 2010 an arctic fox was spotted in the northern side of Salla. That was, and has been the only reliable observation of arctic fox for years in Finland.

The opportunities for arctic fox to survive have become more difficult. One of the reasons for this is climate change, and the issues taking place surrounding it. Fetching food has also become more difficult for arctic fox due to changes taking place in reindeer industry.

There is also a colour type of arctic fox, a blue fox. This is even rarer in nature and is most commonly bred in fur farms. Finland is the second biggest country in producing fox leather. Yearly, fur farms in Finland breed all together four million foxes, arctic foxes, minks, ferrets and raccoon dogs. Ethical, environmental and animal protection problems are associated with fur farming. The increasing group of countries in Europe has decided to stop fur farming, or part of it, based on their country legislations due to reasons in animal protection.