The Tipping Point

Artist Project

Ch’i cha jų̃ kwa’ch’e ch’i cha jų̃ kwa’ch’e uts’an kwäts’eden-ji
Several superimposed black-and-white images show a cellist playing her instrument, seen from the mid-torso upward.

Jazz musicians collaborate with photographer Knut Åserud to visualize relationships between humans and the environment in his debut moving-image work.

Several superimposed black-and-white images show a cellist playing her instrument, seen from the mid-torso upward.
Knut Åserud, The Tipping Point (video still) (2021). COURTESY THE ARTIST AND RYK - NORTHERN EXPO.

Knut Åserud’s The Tipping Point is based on the dramatic state of the world in 2021. Climate change, geopolitical change and a global pandemic affect the world. The myth of the Arctic as a desolate, untamed, forever-unchanged place is challenged by the dramatic and chaotic reality we are facing. It becomes clear that everything is connected, and that the Arctic is—by no means—as isolated from the rest of the world as many might think. Knut Åserud´s film sheds light on the relation between human beings and nature, and feelings of chaos and isolation, uncertainty and hope. We each bear an individual responsibility. At the same time, we are distanced—both from each other and from the challenges we are facing. Through the different parts of the film, viewers are brought into a musical and cinematic universe that disturbs, touches and challenges us to feel. How much have you done?

Credit: The Tipping Point premiered at the Tromsø International Film Festival, presented by RYKNorthern Expo. Courtesy RYK—Northern Expo.

Directed by Knut Åserud, The Tipping Point is the first moving-image work from the renowned photographer.

The music is composed by Jakop Janssønn, with lyrics by Moddi. The ensemble participating is the newly established Nordnorsk Jazzensemble, and the music is recorded during the lockdown period in February 2021, when the musicians  couldn’t gather, but made recordings from their home studios.

This story is part of the Norway Partner Spotlight. View more content from the Spotlight here.