Čázevulošnieida, directly translated to The underwater girl, is an interdisciplinary work of art. The work is both an art installation and a dance art performance based on the Sea Sámi story ‘Undervannsjenta’ and about the world that is both next to, above and below the sea.

“The passage and the underwater depths are made of delicate, subtle, nearly transparent light blue materials literally floating in the air. Kids and parents sit on the floor, in some distance to each other as we all keep to the regulations due to the pandemic. Still, we are lucky to be in the theatre, experiencing a ritual together under the illustrations of fish swimming above us like constellations in the night sky. I can feel everyone is drawn in and trust in what is about
to come.” – Alicja Rose, autumn 2021.

The story originates from the sea and coastal Sámi area Unjárja/ Nesseby in Sápmi / Finnmark and is located specifically around Ceavccageađge / Mortensnes cultural heritage area by Várjjatvuonna / Varangerfjorden. The project collaborates with the specific landscape and will create new narratives about the Sea Sámi stories from Varanger.

Čázevulošnieida is the daughter of Čáhceháldi – the Sea Guard, a mythical figure, who often acts as the guardian of an area, like the underground people. In a meeting with the fisher boy and the humans, the underwater girl and the fisher boy remind us that in another world, perspectives can be different.

The work wants to say something about the fact that there are people and cultures that live close to the stories of worlds we do not know so well today, and that they may teach us valuable knowledge of different kinds.

Subtle sea sounds, joik, dance and juggling, textiles, living drawings, and architecture move together in Čázevulošnieida, and can potentially move the sea and the human soul.

The work aims to be presented at different locations, such as theatres, festivals, museums, galleries, in and outdoors.

The work’s quality is intimate and interactive, and the performance aims to be presented to a small audience, children around 3-6 years old with adults.

Anyhow, the work can be shared several times a day, and except the performance, the ‘space’ can be open as an exhibition for children and adults together.

The group also offers workshops in relation to the performances and installation.

The Underwater Girl was premiering at Festspillene i Nord- Norge/ Arctic Arts Festival in Northern Norway, june 2021, under the project inviation OPEN CALL and later we have been lucky to play at Black Box Theatre in Oslo, autumn 2021, Bibu Biennale in Helsingborg, spring 2022, Globusfestivalen in Drammen 2022, Bærum kulturhus winter 2023, Elefantteateret in Stavanger spring 2024 and at Ultima festival for contemporary music in Oslo, autumn 2024.

Arctic Arts Festival, Visual Theatre Nordland, Talent Norge, Dansearena Norge, Kulturrådet, Sametinget, FFUK, Sami Lavdi.