Biography

Antti Tolvi’s background is in experimental music and sound art. One day Antti realized that for people who are not trained listeners or for whom the sounds doesn’t have huge effect, it can be difficult to reach the depth and space that he tries to offer in his works.

In recent years, Antti´s works has started to take shape more as multi-sensory installations, spatial experiences and performances, in all of which sounds still play a central role. In Antti´s works, the sounds have expanded into a visual form, Antti has composed for winds (multi-channel fan system), lights (light composer), body sensations (sonic bed/sofa), touch (one-to-one performances), etc.

Antti´s practice has been focused around just listening almost two decades now. By listening, Antti means listening, which is not only listening with our ears, but listening with the whole being. Just listening what happens in inside and outside of us. Practicing listening also inseparably includes practicing relaxation. We cannot hear very subtly anything if our mind is fixed somewhere. In other words, in this practice, we pay attention to human nature, while being sensitive to the particularities of space and form.

Antti Tolvi (b. 1977 in Panelia) is a sound artist, composer and performer from Turku / Kemiö Island Finland. Antti has been one of the most important names in the field of experimental music scene in Finland since 2002. Antti has performed over 400 shows on three continents and 14 solo records have been released from Antti. Since 2016, Antti has held at least 18 solo exhibitions and participated in 24 group exhibitions. Freedom, peace, gratitude and minimalist aesthetics are often reflected in Anttis works which combines sound, light, wind, water, bodily sensations and living visual elements. The works have been exhibited e.g. Sibelius Museum Turku (2023), Flow festival (2022), Rovaniemi Art Museum (2022),Helsinki Juhlaviikot (2021), Musica Nova festivals (2021), Huuto Galleria HKI (2021), Helsinki Biennale (Teemu Lehmusruusu working group 2021), Pori Art Museum (2020), Titanik Gallery Turku (2019) and Sinne Gallery HKI (2017). Antti Tolvi’s work Noise and form is part of the Wihuri Foundation’s collection. 

Antti has also been organizing the annual Kiilan äänipäivät sound art festival on Kemiönsaari since 2014 and part of Himera collective who organize experimental music happenings in Turku .

Exhibitions:
Solo

  • Instrument, Myymälä 2, Helsinki 2024
  • Sound, light, silence, Galerie Pleiku, Berlin 2024
  • Blue, Taidekeskus Mältinranta Tampere 2024
  • Light & Sound & Unfinished composition, Taidehalli Porvoo 2023
  • Etäisyys ja lämpö, Pimento, Oulu 2023
  • Sit and blue, Sibelius Museum, Turku 2023
  • Electromagnetism, Kubu, Kimitoön 2022
  • Etäisyys ja lämpö, Galleria Ronga, Tampere 2022
  • Tyyni, Main Library, Turku 2022
  • Butterfly effect, Flow festival, Helsinki 2022
  • Keveys, Galleria Titanik, Turku 2022
  • Image line and lie down on it, Galleria Ars Libera, Kuopio 2022
  • Electromagnetism, Galleria Napa, Rovaniemi 2022
  • Kohina ja Muoto, Galleria Kouta, Kouvola 2021
  • Kohina ja Muoto, Galleria Huuto, Helsinki 2021
  • view, (with Antti Auvinen, Kristian Äijö), VTT, Musica Nova 2021 & HKI juhlaviikot 2021
  • For 50hz & Resonare, Galleria Rajatila, Tampere 2021
  • Pisara (with Tero Niskanen), Kosminen, Helsinki 2020
  • Feedbach Gong, B Galleria, Turku 2019
  • Lotus, Titanik, Turku 2019
  • Harmonia solo op.2, B Galleria, Turku 2019
  • Metsän Harmonia, Sinne Gallery, Helsinki 2017
  • Pipe Harmony, Sorbus Gallery, Helsinki 2016
  • KEIJUT (with Roope Eronen and Tero Niskanen), Sorbus Gallery, Helsinki 2016

Group

  • Sonic bed, Elon kuu, Kokemäki 2024
  • Bliss with David Muth, Video weeks, Sinne gallery, Helsinki 2024
  • Y-Division [ ]] with David Muth, Forum Box, Helsinki 2024
  • Avaa yhtä ja jatka avaamista kunnes.. Tehdasfestivaali Manifesti, Turku 2023
  • KITA Haihatus, Joutsa 2023
  • Wiurilan kesä, Salo 2023
  • Putket II, Kohtaus, Tehdasfestivaali Manifesti, Turku 2022
  • Lähde, Wiurilan kesä, Salo 2022
  • Orkesteri 2, Galleria Pictor, Vihti 2022
  • Orkesteri 2, Platforms Project 2021, Athens, Greece 2021
  • Fibonacci trio, Quantum Critic,Art-School MASTERS, St.-Petersburg, Russia 2021
  • PAMAUS, Quantum Critic, Myymälä2, Helsinki 2021
  • Lähde, Oasis, Pro Artibus, Tammisaari, 2021
  • House of Polypores (with Teemu Lehmusruusu), Helsinki biennaali, 2021
  • I I I I I I III I I II I (with Lau Nau) Pori Taidemuseo 2020-2021
  • Fibonacci trio, Myyntinäyttely, Kosminen 2020
  • Lotus, Pori Light Station, Pori 2019
  • Harmonia solo op.Fanö, Kunstmuseum Söderho, Fanö. Denmark 2019
  • Tellus, Taidehalli, Vaasa, 2019
  • Harmonia solo op.2, Norpas festival, Taalintehdas 2019
  • Kalliosinfonia with Elina Ruohonen, Auran Galleria, Turku, 2018
  • Seasisters in antroposcene, Örö, Kemiönsaaari 2018
  • Metsän Harmonia, Tampre Biennale, Tampere 2018
  • Metsän Harmonia, Ambient -pitkä nyt, Parainen 2018
  • Metsän Harmonia, mÖrkö, Taalintehdas 2017
  • The Wake (with Veera Lohiniva), B Gallery, Turku 2016
  • ARS Kärsämäki 2016 Pipe Harmony, ARS Kärsämäki, Kärsämäki 2016
  • KILA ART 2016, O, Kemiönsaari 2016
  • KILA ART 2015, Tonttu, Kemiönsaari 2015
  • Halikonlahti Green Art Festival, Ääniluuppi, Salo 2006

Selected concerts & performances: (Antti has made over 400 concerts in Europe, USA and Asia)

North / South America tours

  • 4 Concerts 2023, Brava Sao Paulo, Sesc Bauru, Sesc Ribeirao Preto
  • 6 Concerts 2015, Human Resources LA, UCSC Santa Cruz..
  • 8 Concerts 2014, Issue Project Room, NY..
  • 8 Concerts 2008 Empty Bottle Chicago, Knitting Factory NY..
  • 18 Concerts 2005 Anthology Film Archives, NY..

Asian tours

  • 3 Concerts + lecture in art school 2019, Kerala India
  • 8 Concerts 2010, Shanghai Expo Finland Pavilion, NOTCH10-festival, Super Deluxe, Tokyo..
  • Tokyo, Japan 2009

Europe

  • Le Non Jazz, Paris, France 2018
  • AB Salon, Brussels, Belgium 2018
  • Frameless, Munchen, Germany 2018
  • Teletorni Ambient, Tallinn, Estonia 2017
  • Church Organ festival, Copenhagn, Denmark 2017
  • Cave12, Geneva, Switzerland, 2016
  • Bozar, Brussels, Belgium 2016
  • Eastern Daze II, Gent, Belgium 2015
  • Occii, Amsterdam, Holland 2015
  • Café Oto, Lontoo, UK 2014
  • Palacio Da Foz, Lisabon Portugal 2014
  • Kraak festival, Aalst Belgium 2014
  • Tallin music week, Estonia 2013
  • Institut Finlandais, Paris, France 2012
  • ““Les Urbaines” –, Lausanne, Switzerland, 2007.
  • “The Wire magazine anniversary festival”, Bush Hall, London, 2007.
  • “Vision dream”, Bozar Centre Culturel, Bruyssel 2006.
  • Instal, Glasgow, Scotland 2005
  • SKIFF St. Petersburg 2004
  • VPRO Netherlands 2004

Finland

  • Flow festival Helsinki 2013, 2014, 2018, 2022
  • New performance Turku Festival, Turku 2019, 2021
  • Ärjän Taidefestivaali, Kajaani 2021
  • Kehä festival (one-to-one pieces), Oulu 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023
  • FinFringe Turku 2020
  • Sideways, Helsinki 2019
  • Tampere Biennale 2016, 2018
  • Ilmiö,Turku 2011 ,2012, 2013, 2017, 2018
  • Himera festival, Turku 2013, 2014, 2017
  • H2Ö festival, Turku 2014, 2015, 2016
  • Kiilan Äänipäivät, Kemiönsaari 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
  • Jättömaa festiva,l Kouvola 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015
  • IFEM, Inari 2012
  • Midnight Sun Festival, Sodankylä 2001-2004

Residences:

  • Andersabo, Unnaryd, Sweden 2019
  • Nykytaidetila Kutomo, Turku 2018
  • Luova kasvu, Vantaa 2018
  • Elektronmusikstudion Stockholm, Sweden 2017
  • Worm, sound studio Rotterdam, Holland 2016

Works in Collections:

  • Wihuri Foundation

Artistic director

  • Kiilan äänipäivät sound art festival Kemiö Island 2014-2024
  • one century abc sound art festival Turku 2023-2024 (with Rasmus Östling)
  • Silence music festival, Berlin 2024

Other work:

  • Regional art prize 2023 (Varsinais-Suomen taidepalkinto)
  • State prize 2021 (Taiteen valtionpalkinto) Huoneiden kirja work group
  • Artistic director /founder of Kiila Sounddays (Kiilan Äänipäivät sound art festival) 2014 ->
  • Arte Ry (Titanik gallery) board member
  • MUU Ry member
  • Korvat Auki Ry member
  • Himera collective member
  • Video works, Orkesteri I & II, As It is, OCTOBER..
  • Hula Hula object/soundtheatre for chidren with Pauliina Vesslin 2021->
  • Keijusirkus object/soundtheatre for chidren with Pauliina Vesslin 2017->
  • Seasisters in antroposcene with Kati Immonen, Mari Krappala, Elina Ruohonen and Tiina Vainio 2017->
  • Fenix, dance piece with Henna-Maria Hanhineva 2017
  • Household Dance Protocol with dancer Sandrina Lindgren 2017->
  • Music for / Footnote #01: Sipilänmäki, film by David Muth 2016
  • Organize experimental music events in Kemiö Island 2012->
  • Live scores for silence films. Anna-Liisa, (1922), The cabinet of Dr. Caligari(1920)
  • Organizer experimental events in Turku 2002 – 2004.
  • Magnum photo ”Silence” photoshow music, with Jukka Räisäsen, Merja Kokkosen, Jonna Karanka and Laura Naukkarinen 2006.

Grants

  • For exhibition costs, Suomen Kulttuurirahasto 2023
  • For exhibition costs, Taike 2023
  • Two year´s working grant, Koneen säätiö 2022
  • Six month´s working grant, taiteilija-apuraha, Taike 2022
  • Travel grant to Camerun, Taike 2021
  • One year working grant, taiteilija-apuraha, Taike 2020
  • Six month´s working grant, kuvataiteen näyttöapuraha, Taike 2020
  • Six month´s working grant, Suomen Kulttuurirahasto 2020
  • Travel grant to India, MES (Musiikin edistämissäätiö) 2020
  • Travel grant to Denmark, Frame 2019
  • Hula hula, performance art for chidren, Kemiö Island 2019
  • Hula hula, performance art for chidren, Raasepori 2019
  • Travel grant to Sweden MES (Musiikin edistämissäätiö) 2019
  • Travel grant to Denmark MES 2019
  • Kiilan Äänipäivät, Taike 2016 & 2017 & 2018 & 2019 & 2021
  • Kiilan Äänipäivät, Suomen Kulttuurirahasto 2019 & 2020
  • Kiilan Äänipäivät, Kemiö Island 2015 & 2016 & 2017 & 2019 & 2020
  • Travel grant (Liikkuvuusapuraha), Taike 2018
  • Six month´s working grant for composing (taiteilija-apuraha), Taike 2018
  • Culture prize, Kemiö Island 2018
  • Quest composer Elektronmusikstudion Stockholm, Nordic Culture Point AiR 2017
  • Fenix, Turun Kulttuurilautakunta 2017
  • Household Dance Protocol, SKR / TaiKe / Svenska Kulturfonden 2017 &2018
  • Keijusirkus esine-/ääniteatteri lapsille, Kemiönsaaren Kunta 2017
  • Keijusirkus esine-/ääniteatteri lapsille, Raaseporin kaupunki 2017
  • Tour Grant to Belgium and Switzerland MES 2016
  • Pipe Harmony installation AVEK 2015
  • Tour Grant to Belgium and Holland MES 2015
  • Tour Grant to USA MES 2015
  • Kiilan Äänipäivät, Kemiönsaaren kunta 2016 & 2015 & 2014
  • Tour Grant to Belgium and Holland MES 2014
  • Tour Grant to UK MES 2014
  • Vinderbaum klubi, Kemiönsaaren kunta 2012
  • Tour Grant to ASIA, Musex 2010
  • Tour Grant to Japan, ESEK 2009
  • Tour Grant to USA, ESEK 2008
  • Tour Grant to USA, ESEK, 2005

Discography:

Solo works:

Antti Tolvi: Remember, spring, digital (Kvieto 2024)

Antti Tolvi: Spectral organ / Feedback gong, CD /digital (Room40 2022 Australia)

Antti Tolvi: When instrument is in tune music happens by it self MC (Ikuisuus 2020)

Antti Tolvi : Harmonia, digital (2020)

Antti Tolvi : Just gong, digital (Longform edition 2019 Australia)

Antti Tolvi : Church Organ 2 x tape + digi(IKUISUUS 2017)

Antti Tolvi : Leijunta CD + digi (Kirigirisu Records 2016 JAPAN)

Antti Tolvi : AAMU / ILTA MC + digi (Infinitewave 2015 Denmark)

Antti Tolvi : Piha, metsä ja iso mäki + digi MC split w/Moana(Edicoes CN 2015 Belgium)

Antti Tolvi : Ultrakosmos I & II MC (Sloow Tapes 2015 Belgium)

Antti Tolvi : Urkupilvi cdr + digi (OM HA SVA HA KSHA MA LA VA RA YAM 2014)

Antti Tolvi : Duets whit Käki & Thunder (2014)

Antti Tolvi : Taikuri Tali LP (Ikuisuus 2014)

Antti Tolvi : Pianoketo 2LP + digi (Fonal 2013)

Antti Tolvi : 2 Sruti CD-R (Peippo 2010)

Antti Tolvi : Tänän CD-R (POK 2006)

Antti Tolvi : Antti Tolvi MC (Sloow Tapes 2006 Belgium)

Taikuri Tali CD-R (POK 2005)

Groups and appearances (selected):

Turku recordings (Manfred Werder, Antti Tolvi, Jukka-Pekka Kervinen), digital, Kvieto (2024)

AT / PT (duo w/ Pink Twins) : Hyperheliopolis 3LP (2022)

Heikki Lindgren, Antti Tolvi : Ambient Experimentations: Archipelago Recordings with Gong, Digital (2020)

Antti Tolvi, Christian Ronn & Antez :  Nazard CD (2018)Kemialliset Ystävät : Siipi Empii LP/CS (Ikuisuus 2018, Leaving Records 2018 USA)

Lau Nau : Poseidon CD/ LP (Fonal 2017, Beacon Sound USA 2017)

Dxxxa D & Nukkehallitus: Määän 2LP (Helmi Levyt 2017)

Kiila : Näköpiirin Rajoilla LP (Alt Vinyl 2016 UK)

Avarus : Metsässä LP (Arde / IKUISUUS 2016)

KEIJUT : s/t cd-r (lal lal lal 2016)

Avarus : Oranssi vintti MC (Ikuisuus 2015)

Basamahas : s/t MC (Lal lal lal 2014)

Arttu Partinen & Antti Tolvi : Andien Meiningit MC (Ikuisuus 2014)

Maailma: Speculum LP (Rotor 2014)

Lau Nau: Valohiukkanen CD & LP & Digital (Fonal 2012)

Rauhan Orkesteri : Dingdongtyyny LP (Tyyfus 2010 / no label 2005)

Lauhkeat Lampaat : Amis & Amish MC (Peippo 2009)

Kiila: Tuota tuota CD & LP & Digital (Fonal 2009)

Lau Nau: Ebony & Ivory CD-R (POK 2008)

Lau Nau: Nukkuu CD & LP & Digital (Locust 2008 USA and Fonal 2008 Finland + a cassette edition in Russia by Yatzilewka??? Records 2010)

QBICO V UNITE – Kuupuu & Lau Nau with Lauhkeat Lampaat, LP (QBICO 2007 Italy)

Kemialliset Ystävät: – CD & LP & Digital (Fonal 2007)

Lauhkeat Lampaat :  Taikaa Takataskussa CD (Peippo 2007)

Rauhan Orkesteri : Sylissäin oot CD (Ache 2006 Canada)

Rauhan Orkesteri & Family Underground LP (Qbico 2006 Italy)

Lauhkeat Lampaat :  The Most Pöllö LP (Qbico 2006 Italy)

Rauhan Orkesteri : Sylissäin oot LP (Qbico 2005 Italy)

Lau Nau: US Tour CD-R (POK 2005)

Lau Nau: Kuutarha, CD & LP & Digital (Locust 2005 USA)

Lauhkeat Lampaat : Mystery Of Hyyry MC (POK 2005)

Kemialliset Ystävät: NUUHA NI HAKA (Jewelled Antler Library, 2004)

Päivänsäde: Puhalluspelto, LP (Eclipse 2004 USA)

Päivänsäde, Tamminauhat/Tulipesä-Tapes, CD-R (Whistle Along 2004 UK)

Päivänsäde, 2xMC (POK 2004)

Rauhan Orkesteri : Hyppy Tunti 7” (POK 2004)

Kiila: Silmät Sulkaset, CD (Fonal & K-raak3 2004 Suomi & Belgia)

Master QSH, MC (Lal Lal Lal 2003)

Rauhan Orkesteri : Rauhan Orkesteri LP (Lal Lal Lal, POK, Zerga, Käsipohja 2003)

Rauhan Orkesteri : Felix CD-R (267 Lattajjaa 2003)

Lauhkeat Lampaat : Aamuu / Pieni Aurinko Tanssi 7” (POK 2003)

On compilations:

Various Artists “Still Water”, Infinite waves 3xMC, 2018, Denmark

”Taikuri Tali” on Bright And Dark Light 4xMC, 2009, USA

”Laaksomies” on Evergreens ´n Odditunes MP3, 2007, UK

”Kelli Rittui” on Bound Whit Skin, Skulls Of Heaven 5xCD, 2007 USA

“Hidas kuula” on Gold Leaf Branches, Foxy Digitalis 3xCD, 2005

“Taikasulka” & ”Rabbi Ja Matti” on Maan matoset CD, POK, 2005

”Rauhan Orkesteri” on Outa001 CD-R, Outa, 2004