Ilana Palmgren RED ROT

burning, rotting, transforming
fragments of movement,
sound and words

RED – ROT is a physical live performance by performing artist Ilana Palmgren, sound artist Joni Salmela, and visual and lighting designer Jaakko Sirainen. RED – ROT explores the phenomenon of dissociation both as a symptom and a coping mechanism.
The performance asks: What is it to be seen and to be safe? What if we embraced constant shifts, leaks, and transformations curiously, as a possible way of existing? Could I be like this — or like this?

Instead of disappearing, RED – ROT breaks dissociation into fragments of movement, sound, and words. And most importantly, goes through. “Why is red considered an erotic colour? I guess it’s erotic to be alive, right? You either rot or burn — and rot. ”

RED – ROT is a continuation of Palmgren and Salmela’s collaborative work in embodied performance art, rooted in the interplay between sound and physical expression. Their work delves into the deep, non-visual meanings of colour and the raw, poetic, connective states they evoke. The collaboration began in 2024 with the performance Red Cues, created at the SomoS Arts residency in Berlin. Premiered at Galleria Toinen Silmä, Helsinki (August 2025), RED – ROT was received as thought-provoking, fresh, and emotionally resonant. Audience feedback emphasized its intensity and the urge to share experiences afterwards.
The performance is a recipient of the Mae Artist Award (Fall 2025) and part of the official Mae program. Bitte sinngemäß übersetzen

Concept | Performance Ilana Palmgren
Sound design Joni Salmela
Light design | Visuals Jaakko Sirainen & working group
Produced by Palmgren & Salmela
Supported by The Arts Promotion Centre Finland, City of Helsinki,
Dance theatre Hurjaruuth, SomoS Arts, MAE
Rehearsed at theaterhaus berlin, Galleria Toinen Silmä, Dance theatre
Hurjaruuth