Matthew Cowan

Nuuttipukki (2014)

8 minSingle channel / Digital Video / Colour / Sound

"This was made in southwest Finland with a group of men from a local choir, enacting an old mid-winter rural house calling tradition called 'Nuuttipukki'. The name of the custom roughly translates to 'goat-men'. The provocative intrusions border on the obscene, however such visitations were considered good luck for the coming year, and communities welcomed the heavily disguised mummers despite their rough appearance and language."

Artist's statement

Other works by Matthew Cowan

CIRCUIT is the
leading voice
for artist moving image
practice
in Aotearoa New Zealand,
distributing works,
critical review and
dialogues
which reflect our unique, contemporary
South Pacific context.