CURRENT GRANTEES
Theory of Quantum Physics and Finnish Landscape When “Nothing” Is Happening lakes, sea ice, and hilly arctic terrain. I knew that I would find that much was “happening,” even if it wasn’t immediately visible. I spent my first four months at artist residencies in different regions, photographing, recording, researching, and experiencing the micro-landscapes of each place. I was struck by what I found: the variety and detail in the forest terrain; the changes in the weather and light at different latitudes; how lake and sea ice fundamentally alter an environment; an evolving understanding of what “nature” means in Finland; and how physically and emotionally complex the winter landI have been drawn to northern and arctic
places, covered in snow.
scape can be.
landscapes since 2012, when I attended an
According to one theory of quantum
I presented an exhibition of new work
artist residency in Svalbard, near the North
physics, pure emptiness is not actually
at Sorbus, in Helsinki, and screened older
Pole. In Svalbard, and at a residency on
empty, but is dense, turbulent, and active.
work at Titanik, in Turku. Finally, I've
Kökar, in the Finnish archipelago, in 2013, I
I am fascinated by what this can mean in
had many long, fantastic conversations
began my investigations into the relation-
scientific, emotional, and planetary terms:
with a wide range of Finnish artists about
ships between these landscapes and the
How can something be empty and dense at
art, science, climate change, abstraction,
abstract realm of quantum physics. This
the same time? What does this theory, and
technology, and politics. Their perspec-
prompted my decision to return to Finland
quantum physics in general, have to do
tives have been continuously thought-
for a Fulbright, as I sought the opportunity
with the real, “natural” world we live in?
provoking and inspiring.
to spend a full winter in the north. I wanted
In Finland, I wanted to experience the
to experience the landscape during the
landscape and explore what this theory
Leah Beeferman
time of year when “nothing” is happening:
about emptiness and density might mean
Mid-Career Professional
when it is dark, cold, frozen, and, in most
in context of the Finnish forest, frozen
Development Grantee 2016-2017
Niko Suominen conducted research on early modern drama and the rhetoric of theatre at Harvard University. And like a true scholar of English Renaissance theatre, Suominen dressed up as Shakespeare for Halloween 2015.
me from my plight was, I repeat, Fulbright. In the spirit of sitcoms (cue the laugh track) the lady wrapped herself in a bath-towel, flashed a heartwarming smile, and we laughed off the misunderstanding. All’s well that ends well, as the saying goes. She then introduced herself
I, Cultural Ambassador
– we would later become neighbors – and even guided me to the right door. If anything, the moral of the story here is not
Fresh off the plane, as my first act as cul-
logic, duh! – ‘If I were a burglar, why the
only that you should (in case of lost Finns)
tural ambassador, I broke into a house.
luggage?’) I got off with a fright. Yet there
remember to lock your doors, but also the
Accidentally. Then, I made my first con-
was one specific thing that ultimately
Fulbright Program’s cultural significance
tact with a native, who just happened to
saved the day. Two little syllables, as hard
in the United States.
be (good grief) a naked lady. This unfor-
as it might be to believe this, possessed
tunate sequence of events, as anyone can
the power that transformed the stand-
Niko Suominen
imagine, could have ended in a nasty way.
off into a comedy of errors. FULBRIGHT.
ASLA-Fulbright Pre-Doctoral
However, thanks to my natural charm (and
Yes, the magic word that delivered
Research Fellow 2015-2016
14 — WWW.FULBRIGHT.FI