season 3, episode 2 | Yunjia Liu and Aman Askarizad
Global club nights is a networking and informative club series in collaboration with Caisa Cultural centre, Helsinki Open Waves web radio, and the Global Music Department of Sibelius Academy that aims to bring together all parties involved with music. With live music, seminars and workshops the events attempt to create bridges between musicians, event producers, agents, venues, and music lovers, bringing down barriers and creating a safe and creative environment of free expression. In a celebration of diversity, using the tools of intercultural collaboration and specialized knowledge, we provide the possibility of a neutral and safe space for sharing and exchange of knowledge, information, wishes, and insights on the music industry in Finland, both on the part of the musician and from the business side while most importantly, sharing it with the community.
In this episode, we are happy to have with us Yunjia Liu and Aman Askarizad from Catalysti, a network of transcultural artists that work at the intersection of activism and artistic production.
Today we take a close look at how they promote member activities, organise exhibitions and events, provide networking opportunities, employment possibilities, and promote knowledge sharing between members that want to develop their craft. Diversity, inclusion, and equity are the pillars on top of which Catalysti was created and still functions today. A warm discussion about the crucial work of Catalysti.
Aman Askarizadis an artist dealing with music, performance art, photography, and visual arts. He works with elements that consciously or unconsciously govern and shape us, such as memory, individual and shared histories, and politics, which all emerge in one word, identity. Images, cameras, and photography are his most employed materials in terms of artistic expression. In his art practice now, he tries to create projects that are socially and spatially engaged. Currently, he is focusing on issues such as identity, immigration, language, and international culture associated with urban development and public spaces.
Yunjia Liuis a guitarist, composer, and singer. With deep love and a strong passion for music, Yunjia Liu (stage name: J. Hermit) enjoys every moment of being an independent artist. She was born in China and studied Bachelor of Music classical guitar at the University of Melbourne in Australia and Master of Music Guitar Soloist and Composition at the University of Music Detmold in Germany. She has lived in Finland since July 2020. Yunjia Liu’s music is deeply influenced by philosophical ideas such as Minimalism, Taoism, Yin-Yang, and the inspirations of nature. Her multidisciplinary projects focus on theatre, dancing, painting, and poetry, just to name a few. Her music style includes free improvisation, world music, folk music, contemporary music, classical music, and electronic music. She has been performing in Germany, France, Finland, Hungary, England, Australia, and China.
Catalysti
Established in 2013, Catalysti is a network of transcultural artists that promotes their activities and events, supports networking and knowledge sharing, and provides equal opportunities. Catalysti operates at the intersection of artistic production and activism, with a strong commitment to promoting inclusion and equity.
CreditsProducers and hosts:Chico Matada and Vasileios Katopodis
Guests:Yunjia Liu and Aman Askarizad
Sound recording, editing & live streaming:Bailey Polkinghorne
*The audio piece was recorded and edited at the Helsinki Open Waves performance & recording room located at Caisa.
**The views expressed in this audio piece and texts are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the view of Helsinki Open Waves.
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