Memoirs of Mud

Memoirs of Mud

In their multidisciplinary circus show Memoirs of Mud, artists Inka Pehkonen and Imogen Huzel tell the story of two women exploring their place in in a sanitized yet natural world. On stage, they invite the audience into their punk fashion farm. Inka and Imogen, officially known as “Fake Fucking Farmers”, seek the best of both worlds: They love the simple life, tending carrots and digging up potatoes. However, the farm seems to be a bit too fertile: Fashion, materialistic ideals and contemporary trends grow here. And you know what? This contradiction makes perfect sense.

Memoirs of Mud is provocative, playful, bold, and beautiful—a journey full of dirt, glitter-personified vegetables, ginger antlers, and potato DJs. Showing life in all its different colours, from vibrancy to varying shades of darkness, it speaks of womanhood, our relationship with our world, and with one another. The performance is a creative and visual explosion that playfully unites circus, live sound installations, and performance art. It takes the audience on an emotional journey, from the wide horizon of childlike possibilities to deep despair.

If anything, we want to leave you with a reminder: roll in the mud more often!

Credits:

Performers and author: Imogen Huzel (UK/ GER), Inka Pehkonen (FI)
Outside eyes: Santiago Ruis Albalate (ESP), Vejde Grind (SE), Gaby Munoz (MEX)
Lighting design: Kauri Klemelä (FI)
Music/ sound design: Timm Weber (GER)
Video: Karine Bravo (GER/ BRA)
Costume design: Riikka Manni (FI)

Production company: Sisus
Producer: Vilma Juutinen (FI)
Co-producer: Dynamo Workspace (DK), Cirko (FI)
Premiered: Cirkuff (CZ) in June 2022
Support: The Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Cirkus Cirkör, Samuel Huber Foundation, Linnanmäki Youth Circus, City of Helsinki

Sisus Sirkus

Sisus is a contemporary circus company originating from Finland. The group was found by five women with plenty of energy and love for the awkward
They mesmerize the viewers on stage and share their high level circus skills and quirky humor with the audience. Sisus is a dream come true. The members of the group started training circus arts together around the beginning of the 2000’s, and today they are professional, educated artists, training and performing together once again. Their aim is to bring people the message of friendship, joy and creative wildness. Inka Pehkonen, one of the founding members of Sisus, and Imogen Huzel have been working on projects together since 2021.

Trailer: Memoirs of Mud

This production is supported by: