Previous exhibitions
ART CENTER AHJO, KYTÖ/LIEKKI-SPACE; NIINA ANNIKA - BENEATH DREAMS
NIINA ANNIKA - BENEATH DREAMS
"In our dreams, beauty and strangeness are mixed together, but we often experience everything as true. From the borders of worlds, we always take something with us to this day."
The audiovisual work ‘Beneath Dreams’ by Joensuu-based musician and artist Niina Annika can be
experienced at Joensuu Art Center Ahjo from 21 January to 8 February 2026. The exhibition opens on
Tuesday 20 January at 6-8 pm. The opening will feature live music from the artist’s new album.
The work is linked to Niina Annika's new album ‘Beneath Dreams’, released in November 2025, whose
calming soundscape combines with a visual narrative guided by nature motifs and changing elements.
The audiovisual work deals with the dream world and the messages of night consciousness. The artist
hopes that the work will arouse interest in exploring one's own inner world and the messages of dreams.
The work combines unpublished music video materials made in collaboration with photographer Karoliina
Gavrilov and nature videos shot by the artist herself.
Niina Mönkkönen, born in Nilsiä in 1988, is a professional musician, singer and composer who can play
several instruments. The album ‘Beneath Dreams’ which was turned into an audiovisual work, features the
musician playing the native flute, kantele and various percussion instruments. In addition to music, she
has directed, acted in, edited and produced several music videos in which nature and a sensual visual
expression are present. Niina is currently completing her professional studies at the Joensuu Conservatory
in the field of folk music.
The artist's goal is to create strong landscapes in her works that restore the listener from loneliness to a
connection with nature and themselves.
