Omens 

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Omens takes its inspiration from the tradition of molybdomancy - a divining practice from ancient times involving melting metal over an open fire and pouring it into cold water and then interpreting the resulting form.

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The project delivers an the opportunity for local and migrant communities to meet around the cultural tradition of casting futures through interpreting Babbitt omens.

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The activity of casting the omens will prompt storytelling; with the interaction of metal and water being symbolic of different cultures coming together, making new forms, interpreting the outcomes together, and by sharing these hopes & fears, generating a dialogue about our common futures. 

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Through this process each sculptural element is at once individual and collectively produced. The project also reflects on the relationship between the experiences of displaced peoples who are often confined to urban environments and the expectations of rural communities (who are often opposed to migration despite having limited engagement with migrants) and seeks to establish positive dialogues within and between these communities.  After the omen casting activity is completed we will finish the day sharing a celebratory meal together.

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At the end of the event the cast omens will be archived and at a later stage these will be form the basis of an exhibition.

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About the Artist:

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'During my childhood in Finland this tradition formed part of the family’s New Year celebrations. We all cast our individual metal ‘omens’ and then holding them in the light of a candle interpreted the shadows cast to forecast our fortunes for the coming year. It was a much anticipated and magical part of New Year and an important storytelling activity that brought together the past and the future for all of us. This tradition and the individual, fragile, intricate, enchanting miniature sculptures that I made and have saved over the years inspired me to create this project'. Henna Asikainen

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Henna Asikainen is a Finnish artist based in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Her principal interests as an artist are in landscape justice and human relationship with nature and the complex social and ecological issues emerging from this relationship.   Her recent participatory projects have been created with the participation of migrant and displaced peoples’ communities and focused on issues emerging from their experience such as the sense of belonging, engagement with place, what we call ‘home’ and how this might be built though cultural hospitality. 

 

Taking place during CONTINUUM open weekend and as part of Refugee Week http://refugeeweek.org.uk/theme-of-refugee-week-2019/

 

www.hennaasikainen.com

https://stories.getmural.io/isisarts/forage/

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Produced in partnership with Allenheads Contemporary Arts, Gem Arts (https://gemarts.org) and funded by Arts Council England and the Finnish Institute in London.