I wish I heard you tell a lieI wish I heard a mosquito cry
I wish I were a duo, hmmm you know
I wish I were inside your pocket, I would make nice sounds
I wish I were the moon, I’d eat it with a spoon
I wish I were some hatching eggs
of creatures with long hairy legs
I wish I were a tiny bell
I wish I were a bunch of claws
almost in their menopause
I wish I were a creature, adjusted to the future
I wish I were you all along
I wish I were a magician, raised my arms and poof I’m gone
I wish that we could merge to one
The exhibition Kattebel // Kissankello reflects the long-standing collaboration and friendship between Helmi Nieminen (1997, Helsinki) and Milou van Vlijmen (1984, Amsterdam). For Maa Tila they’ve developed an installation starring one dragon, two apples, a cat choir, three bells, some vine-like creatures and a collection of words and images shaped into a poem and a zine.
Kattebel // Kissankello grew from their shared interest in objects and characters that reflect human qualities. Through hybrid human-animal-object figures that embody a spectrum of emotions, the duo collectively explores how human identity can be stretched and reimagined. Through these alter egos they want to make space for repressed feelings.
Helmi created large soft sculptures made from recycled fabrics and materials, employing a patchwork-like technique. These tactile works invite interaction, drawing viewers into their world. Milou developed the second part of a trilogy loosely inspired by The Cat, a fairytale by Marie-Louise von Franz, in which a woman transforms into a cat and must complete a series of tasks to integrate her feline self before returning to human form. This narrative served as the starting point for a sonic encounter that explores cat-like human sounds – hissing, meowing, purring, and growling.
Throughout the process of assembling the exhibition, the artists created a zine containing short stories, drawings, and email conversations, offering a glimpse into the ideas and exchanges behind the work.
