Mikki Kunttu
Lighting and Set Designer
Mikki Kunttu has created designs for over 100 contemporary dance productions all over the world. Alongside Saarinen, Kunttu works with many prominent artists from Finland and abroad, such as choreographers Jorma Elo, Jorma Uotinen, Carolyn Carlson, Jiří Kylián, Akram Khan, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. He also collaborates with the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, Norwegian National Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet and the Boston Ballet. In addition to dance, he works in music, opera, television and design.
Kunttu’s recent works include:
- Set, light, and video design for The Snow Queen ice ballet in 2023, Tampere.
- Set, light, and video design for Wagner’s RING series (Finnish National Opera and Ballet, 2019-2024).
- Lighting design for Cirque du Soleil productions Alegria: In new light, Vitori, and 11:11 Gala.
- Lighting design for California Gala at Walt Disney Hall, Los Angeles, in 2019.
- Set and lighting design for Cirque du Soleil productions MUV and Fuzion in 2022.
- Set, light, and video design for Swan Lake (Royal Danish Ballet, 2015).
- Lighting design for The Nutcracker (Boston Ballet, 2014).
- Light and video design for Eurovision Song Contest in 2007 (Helsinki).
- Video design for Eurovision Song Contests in 2016 (Stockholm) and 2013 (Malmö).
- Set and lighting design for the duet “Breath” by Tero Saarinen and Kimmo Pohjonen in 2018.
- Set, light, and video design for the Cultural Gala in 2024.
- Set and lighting design for the Emma Gala in 2024 (Kunttu Levelä Sibelius).
Additionally, Kunttu has visualized tours and concerts for various artists including Kimmo Pohjonen, Apocalyptica, Paula Koivuniemi, Hanoi Rocks, Ismo Alanko, Von Hertzen Brothers, Jonna Tervomaa, Michael Monroe, and Sami Yaffa.
In 2006, he received the prestigious Bessie Award in New York for his works in lighting design for Tero Saarinen and Akram Khan. In 2007, Kunttu received the Säde Award from the Finnish Association of Lighting and Sound Designers, and also the Koura Award for the visualization of the Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki. In 2010, MTV3 awarded him a Venla Diploma of Merit. In fall 2022 Kunttu’s 50th birthday was celebrated at Tampere Hall with a festival dedicated to his diverse career in the performing arts, television, concerts and live events.
