STREAK -katkeamaton – (STREAK -Unbroken Chain)

STREAK– Unbroken Chain

streak, series of events, pipeline, sequence

A streak on Snapchat, a messaging feature within the app, shows the number of consecutive days two users have “snapped” or messaged each other. Missing even a single day destroys the streak.

In the performance, the streak represents a young person’s life. The presentation does not solely focus on the social media world but utilizes its principles. The streak serves as an allegory for a young person’s life. The performance features three young individuals, and we witness moments from their lives. At times, imagination sweeps us away to superhero therapy sessions or adult language classes. The central theme is how we see ourselves and the kind of future we desire.

Mental health challenges, depression, and the inability to manage one’s life are increasingly linked to the relentless demands placed on young people today. Decisions must be made early on about many things. In a young person’s life, there are numerous demands and advisors. Some say you should go to university, others say you should lose weight. Some suggest joining the military, while others advocate for climate strikes, vegetarianism, or feminism. Except, maybe you shouldn’t. Life shouldn’t have any prescriptions other than just living. Life itself is valuable even when it is full of incompleteness and anxiety.

The performance aims to understand and recognize these issues. It’s perfectly okay to be uncertain, and it’s reassuring to see that many young people share similar feelings. Knowing that you are not alone in facing these issues is also important! The performance gathers material from the young people of Pajasto, a youth organization in Tampere, which aims to provide meaningful experiences and activities for young people. Pajasto focuses on looking towards the future and creating steps for personal progress and increased self-awareness.

Hey wait

I’m a bit scared

you walk without worries

and I’m still counting the steps

don’t leave me behind.

-Aida Wikström