Post-MJ Era Institute Of Consciousness is a research body run by individuals who grew up within the pop culture of the 80’s and 90’s. The mission behind the Institute is to articulate the influences of the spectacle through the mythical terrain created by Michael Jackson.

Founder members of Post-MJ Era Insitute Of Consciousness: Oxi Koskelainen and Emmi Venna

Other members of the Institute: Michael Jackson look-a-like Michael-Jan Havia, sound designer Ilpo Heikkinen, dancer Anne Hiekkaranta, scenographer Samuli Laine, costume designer Suvi Matinaro and light designer Jani-Matti Salo

Photos: Samuli Laine

Neverland brings the spiritual and corporal heritage of late pop icon Michael Jackson to Kiasma Theatre.

Neverland is a gathering for honoring the life work of Michael Jackson and for creative reassessment of its importance.

Neverland leads the seminar participants to the center of the grandiose and analytical – and invites them to the ferris wheel of self-reflection.

If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with. – Michael Jackson

Dramaturgy and direction with Emmi Venna.
URB 15 / Kiasma Theatre 2015

Crew: Michael-Jan Havia, Ilpo Heikkinen, Anne Hiekkaranta, Emilia Kallioinen, Iiris Laakso, Samuli Laine, Suvi Matinaro, Marlon Moilanen, Corinne Mustonen, Jani-Matti Salo, Pauliina Sjöberg, Pietari Vappula

Photos: Susanna Kesänen + Emmi Venna
Video: Janne Myllymäki / Editing: Oxi Koskelainen + Emmi Venna

Wake is an all-night seminar focusing on the effects of the death of Michael Jackson. The participants are invited to ask themselves how to cope with the absence of an influential and complex icon, and to understand the legacy of his times.

Wake suggests an answer in collective celebration and mourning, from dusk till dawn. The DJ’s Niko Likainen, Kristiina Männikkö and Antti Salonen join the Institute in tuning the space for Wake.

The main task of the seminar is to set MJ’s soul free from the satirical cycle of cultural references. Participants are asked to bring a concrete object or other offering to place it on the memorial altar during the night.

Photography is not permitted in the performance space.

Dramaturgy and direction with Emmi Venna.
Baltic Circle International Theatre Festival 2015

Crew: Salla Hakkola, Michael-Jan Havia, Ilpo Heikkinen, Anne Hiekkaranta, Johannes Holopainen, Samuli Laine, Suvi Matinaro, Jani-Matti Salo, Emilia Kallioinen, Iiris Laakso, Niko Likainen, Marlon Moilanen, Emilia Neuvonen, Kristiina Männikkö, Laura Pietiläinen, Antti Salonen, Pauliina Sjöberg, Sunny Seppä, Esete Sutinen

Photos: Tani Simberg
Video: Matti Tanskanen + Christopher Hewitt / Editing: Oxi Koskelainen + Emmi Venna

AFTERLIFE is a simulation and a speculation of Michael Jackson’s afterlife in the era of major pop deaths; a daring and hallucinatory get-together, creating a space for a joint voyage into the post-mortem consciousness of Jackson.

AFTERLIFE is a cut in the multiverse. It offers a one-time chance to step into a parallel spacetime and to meet Jackson’s spirit eye to eye.

AFTERLIFE reaches into the other side so we would momentarily feel what it’s like to be inside the head of a controversial pop star and just how beautiful it is to be free of selfhood.

Dramaturgy and direction with Emmi Venna.
Baltic Circle International Theatre Festival 2017

Crew: Michael-Jan Havia, Ilpo Heikkinen, Corinna Helenelund, Anne Hiekkaranta, Ilmari Karhu, Liisa Pesonen, Tino Singh, Diana Tenkorang

Photos: Tani Simberg