Tuula Ahde
If you've touched ice, you know it burns
Ice Photographs
These macro photographs show the beauty and diversity of ice: razor-sharp details and figures, but also entire mystical, dreamlike worlds captured in small pieces of ice, constantly changing with the weather and light. The images present ice in a different way than we are accustomed to seeing it. Photos are taken outdoors, mostly during and after sunset, or at night, when the moon or a headlamp was the only light source.
Exhibitions
Jään polte - Ice Slowly Burns (videoteos), kevät 2024, Finnish Nature Center Haltia. Watch on YouTube >
Pientä mystiikkaa, 2022, Café-Gallery Tassi, Kuhmoinen
Joint exhibition: Kuhmoisten vedet, 2021, Kuhmoinen Library
Collaborations
The music of my friend Andy Mort, a singer-songwriter and ambient sound artist from the UK, has been a huge source of inspiration for my ice photography and the fusion of visuals with sound. He is releasing new music, and some of my ice photographs will be part of the covers and artwork of the singles. The prospect of this collaboration has me buzzing with excitement, and I'm still coming to terms with the fact that it's all unfolding.
The forthcoming album, Home is No(w)here is inspired by fairytales, the life-breathing joy of imperfections, and the absurd state of things. It's a project I eagerly anticipate, and you can find out more about it at Andy Mort's website.
In spring 2024, the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia will feature the video artwork 'Ice Slowly Burns', which is also a collaborative project with Andy Mort - the music and production of the video are Andy's work. Watch on YouTube >
Below an excerpt from the 'Ice Slowly Burns' video, narrated by Andy Mort. (From The Haven Zine, ’Coming to Our Senses’ No. 2 (2024)).
About Tuula
I am an amateur photographer, and my passion is macro photography, with a particular interest in ice.
I started photographing ice in 2016. Exploring the depths of ice, discovering new worlds within small ice pieces, has occurred alongside my own inner explorations. My images are often dark and mysterious, but they do not depict hopelessness; rather, they showcase the wonder of nature. My photographs are my way of honoring and documenting ice as it still exists, showing its diversity and beauty. I hope to draw attention to a mundane aspect of our nature that is no longer taken for granted, even here in wintry Finland.
More photos and videos can be found on YouTube and Instagram.
Throughout my career, I have mainly worked in visual design. Nature has always been of interest to me, as well as studying human nature and ongoing learning on the subject. I guide the use of photography and images as tools for self-expression and emotional processing in my "PhotoYoga for the Mind" online courses, offered in both Finnish and English.
Articles etc.:
Kamera-lehti (Finnish Camera Magazine), 15.9.2016: Makrokuvia Mordorista (Macro photos from Mordor)
Valokuvaus terapeuttisena harrastuksena, Idealista.fi 062018
Jääkuvia kuin suoraan Mordorista, Kuhmoisten Sanomat 20.10.2021
The Gentle Rebel Podcast: The Healing Power of Photography 8.7.2023
Contact
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