Mad House Helsinki and the Reality Research Center have released their joint autumn 2026 program
Mad House Helsinki and Reality Research Center's joint programme continues this autumn with eight works that reflect the distinct traditions and practices of both organisations, alongside numerous co-productions with contemporary art organisations and international festivals in Helsinki and beyond the capital region. At the same time, the merger process between the two organisations continues, with the launch of the new association scheduled for early 2027.
Photo: María Rivero González (Atte Kantonen - bugbath: pathmaking)
The 2026 Autumn programme begins with BEDROCK : : ROCKBED by MAR/MÆR. The performance art duo consisting of Mari Pitkänen and Kaja Mærk Egeberg invites us into Mustikkamaa's rocky and sandy landscapes to experience a work that emerges from a desire to disappear fully, melt into the surroundings, and become one with the site. Informed by MAR/MÆR’s research on fungi—particularly the study of lichen—BEDROCK : : ROCKBED transcends the borders between bodies and destabilizes our experience and perception of environment.
Set in the Sanginjoki Nature Reserve at the end of August, Swamp – Walking Within the Frame is a site-sensitive walking performance by Kristina Junttila and Maria Oivathat brings together nature and technology. The performance unfolds on peatland formerly used for forestry and now undergoing ecological restoration, one shovelful at a time. The history of Sanginjoki also bears traces of the Iridiamant community, raising the question: can humans protect nature without changing it? The work was developed in collaboration with Ferske Scener (NO) and Cultural Cooperative ILME (FI), and it is part of the Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture programme as well as the catalogue of From Here to Art Travel Agency.
In September, Tuomas Laitinen's Life Is Temporarywill be presented in Kuopio as part of ANTI-festival. The performance lecture reflects on questions around Live Art emerging from the archive of the festival: What is the function of performances in public spaces? What does it mean that they disappear–or do they disappear at all?Life Is Temporary is produced within the framework of “Collection of Vanishing Art” , a new collaboration project between ANTI Festival, RRC, and Mad House. As part of the project, Laitinen is preparing a new public performance piece for the year 2027.
In October, we return to our Parvisali stage with Emil Santtu Uutu et al.’s On Photographs. Moving through photo archives, metadata, and research publications, the performance asks what remains outside the frame. The premiere followsVisual History Now,the first international conference of the research project Picture Me: Presenting Queer Visual History, held at Tampere University in October 2026.
October continues at Parvisaliwith Sonjis Laine and Emmi Max Pennanen’s Sketch Evening. Sketch Evening create a space for performance concepts, thoughts and ideas that are still in process and may not yet have reahced verbal form. Everyone is invited into the space as equal and reciprocal participants in the artistic process. The event series is produced in collaboration with Tero Saarinen Company.
At the end of October, Atte Elias Kantonen’s *bugbath: pathmaking* takes a form of a small listening soirée. Organized for the third time, it invites audiences to gather around tales told through murmuring music, notional noise and skittering sound.
This year, Moving in November is celebrating its 40th anniversary. We join in the celebration and co-present two performances at Parvisali in collaboration with the festival. The performances will be announced in early autumn.
Alongside our joint programme, we are excited to continue our projects Queer Generations and Esitystaidetta kaikille!, as well as our course activities, this autumn.
Lämpimästi tervetuloa! <3
