RADIO THAT MATTERS – MIA TAKULA & ELLEN VIRMAN

Mia Takula & Ellen Virman,

Hevosen silmin (Through the eyes of a horse)

The sound art piece Hevosen silmin (in Eng. Through the Eyes of a Horse) depicts how a horse experiences its environment, fellow species, and other animals – including humans. A horse is, in many ways, a different kind of animal compared to humans, yet it still lives in a human world. How well do we consider the needs of horses?

Horses share the same basic emotions as humans, and research shows that a horse can even interpret human emotions through images. The piece includes, for example, how a horse comforted the grieving para-equestrian Marja Mikola. Mikola also shares what it’s like to work with a horse while being visually impaired. Does a horse’s way of interacting with a visually impaired person differ from how other humans treat her?

Ethologist and equine researcher Verna Vilppula presents the latest research findings on horses’ experiences, senses, communication, and friendships. Did you know, for example, that horses see significantly fewer colours than humans?

The piece is interwoven with an effort to see things from the horse’s perspective. We hear various horse sounds, sounds that are part of a horse’s life, and music composed specifically for the piece. Hevosen silmin is the kind of work that even a horse would listen to and enjoy, based on the latest available research and experiential knowledge. However, there is one particular sound that horses do not find pleasant, even though it is a part of their everyday lives.

Can you identify this sound in the piece? Why does this sound unpleasant for horses?

The piece consists of two parts: Equus Caballus and Kentauri. 

script and direction Mia Takula and Ellen Virman

horses Voltti, Vastaisku, Sisu, Heta, Juuso, Hippa, Fiina, Floris (Lauri), GK Sagittari, Aatu, Roosa, Wallu, and Masi
humans Marja Mikola and Verna Vilppula
Marja’s coach Suvi Kettunen
As well as wild birds present by chance.
reader for the opening and closing credits Alex Andra Rekola
journalist Mia Takula
sound design and composition Ellen Virman
photography Mia Takula
image Katri Astala
commissioned by Baltic Circle

thanks to all the people featured in the piece, Aira Melasniemi, Suvi Kettunen, Nybacka Dressage, Salli Saarela, Equestrian Federation of Finland, Terhi Kujala, Anna-Maria Vilkuna and Matti Harjuniemi, Johanna Perttunen, Moto the dog

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Mia Takula (b. 1975) is a writer, documentarian, and journalist. She has worked in the arts and media fields for over 25 years. Takula’s main themes are the intrinsic value of animals, nature, the eco-crisis, and humanity. Despite these strong themes, Takula aims to encourage rather than blame. She sees the potential for change. Takula has worked on books, documentaries, TV series, hundreds of magazine articles, photography, and audio works. In September, her third book, The Survival Guide, addressing the eco-crisis and survival, was published. Her previous work, In the Land of Wolves, received the Pro Animalia award.

Ellen Virman works broadly in radio, performing arts, and music. Virman is interested in combining documentary and fantasy, as well as presenting social issues in an accessible form. The piece Animal Delusion – Animals Do Not Speak, created with Mia Takula, was Yle’s candidate for the Prix Europa competition in the category of Best Radio Documentary of 2023. In September, Virman’s sound-designed six-part audio series Taylor Swift, minun versioni, which explores the significance of the superstar to her fans, was released.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.