Auri Ahola

“HUNT speaks of the duality of life; of birth and death. It takes a deep dive into the inner conflicts in the mind of someone who is being sacrificed and offering themself up for sacrifice. In some articles written at the turn of the year I was able to think about my own viewpoint on HUNT.

In an interview with Tove Djupsjöbacka I said: “Have I really given birth to a child in this world that is heading for destruction? — I also feel like a warrior figure, which I can identify with. Here I stand, the chosen one, ready to perish with my head held high.” (HBL, 23.1.2022)

Besides being a dancer, I am, of course, also an ordinary person, who channels things from the surrounding world into art, and through art.

I feel this very strongly right now: the war in Ukraine is affecting the way I see the world to the point that it stops me in my tracks.

I cannot distinguish between my artist self and private self, especially at a time like this. I am the same person, woman, mother, and daughter, both on stage and off. What moves me as a human being can also be seen in my art.

When I now read what I said in that interview in this totally different world situation, I see the direction in which the work is taking me increasingly clearly. Although sacrificing yourself is an extreme and final act, it always also contains a dash of hope. It signals a desire to protect our smallest and most fragile common denominator: life.”

– Auri Ahola (3 March, 2022)