Petri Kekoni Company: Onomatopoiesis

A poetic exploration into the core of human expression.

Petri Kekoni Company’s new multidisciplinary work is a poetic exploration into the cores of human expression. Onomatopoiesis is a choreography by Petri Kekoni that explores the connection between word, movement and rhythm. The work dives into the core of the movement, bringing out the roots of its expression.

What originally started as a solo idea soon evolved into a duet and eventually a trio, when the working group was joined by vocal artist, rapper Laineen Kasperi and musician and percussionist Mika Kallio. In this way, the working group formed a unique combination of distinguished artists from different fields of art.

Onomatopoiesis is stage poetry. The work consists of two main parts: movement material physically interpreted by Kekoni and spoken word expression produced by Laineen Kasperi. These parts are in constant motion and interaction, sometimes separating, mixing and finally merging. The unifying glue and stirring of the soup are the rhythms and soundscapes conjured up by Mika Kallio.

The work is based on Kekoni’s lifelong research on the interrelationships between movement and sound: When movement arises, the event usually takes on a verbal form, either in the form of a concept or a feeling that comes to mind. As a result of this transaction, onomatopoeic nonsense is also generated. The work conjures up the primordial sea of movement and sound expression. There is a long way to go from this to grammar and civilized modern man. However, from one point of view, words and letters are also limiting factors in communication.

During his 25-year career as choreographer Petri Kekoni has been best known for his monumental group works. Onomatopoiesis is his third solo production, being an important milestone in the continuum of solo works; “I walk slowly in the wind” premiered in 2004 and “Möhkäle” premiered in 2018, in the same Cirko space as the upcoming new production in April 2025.