Taskunauris ja sen perät _ Pocket Watch

Yksi jalokivistäni on ehdottomasti perimäni taskunauris, jonka perät on tehty ihmisen hiuksista. Kuullessani ensimmäisen kerran ihmisen hiuksista tehdyistä kellonperistä näin mielessäni valokuvia natsiajan juutalaisleireistä. Näissä kuvissa oli kasoittain silmälaseja, matkalaukkuja, tekoniveliä ja niitä hiuksia…

Tarkemmin aiheeseen tutustuttuani minulle selvisi, että kellonperä on ollut muinoin eräänlainen miesten koru. Tätä korua pidettiin vastaantulijoiden nähtävillä ja se koristeltiin usein erilaisin merkein tai kaiverruksin. Koristelu ilmaisi isänmaallisuutta, maakuntasidosta tai aatteellista näkemystä. Suomessa riipusperät olivat yleisimpiä 1930- ja 1940-luvuilla. (lähde: kellomuseo.kutomonportti.fi/kerrankuussa2010.html)

Ihmisen hiuksista tehtyihin kellonperiin on käytetty elävän tai vainajan hiuksia eri tavoin punomalla tai alustalle liimaamalla. Vielä 1930-luvulla saattoi sulhasmies saada morsiamen omista hiuksistaan punomat kellonperät… Hiuskorujen punojat käyttivät korujen tekoon mielellään pohjoismaisten naisten hiuksia, sillä nämä hiukset sopivat mainiosti punontaan pohjoismaisen hiuslaadun ollessa pehmeää ja taipuisaa. (lähde: Parkkinen, A. 2009. Hiuskorut - Historia ja konservointi tekstiilikonservaattorin näkökulmasta. Opinnäytetyö.)

Todellakin… Todettakoon, että tämän pohjoismaalaisen naisen hiukset ovat ehtyvää (vai sittenkin eheytyvää…) luonnonvaraa – vaikkakin pehmeää ja erityisen taipuvaa.


My title “Taskunauris ja sen perät” can also be translated “Pocket turnip and its butt”. Funny, eh…

One time I had this fine party to attend. And, of course, I had nothing to wear. I was going through my closet and only found a black dress from the 60s. Since it was, like, my only option I decided to wear it. My mom freaked out. In her opinion I looked like I was attending a funeral. So, she gave me this pocket watch to wear as a fine jewellery. I had a blast at the party.

The very next day I had a closer look at (my!) pocket watch and realised its strings were made of human hair. Oh dear, I thought. Too bad my mom didn’t know anything about the history of the pocket watch, and couldn’t tell me whose hair it was. My grandma had black hair... Later I learned that these kind of pocket watches were “men’s jewellery”, used until the early 1940s in Finland. Even in the 1930s strings were braided by brides. These strings were then attached to pocket watches, and given to fiancés. Nordic hair was widely used because of its soft and curly quality. Do you think dreadlocks are today’s “men’s (or) women’s jewellery”? 

the Mask

One of my most valuable goods is this old wooden mask. I bought it less than a year ago at a local antique store. It’s from the 19^th century, and in a very good condition. It’s quite heavy and you can put it in your head – really! I think it must have been worn in rituals to hide one’s personality. I did try to look for further information on my piece but couldn’t really place it in any specific historical background. It seems to me that there are lots of wooden masks out there, huh?! Most of them are new, sold at tourist spots.

When I first saw this piece it was love at first sight. I mean I love antique but am more used to the Finnish rustic style of the early 20^th century. But since I already had some other masks at my house I decided to purchase it. Don’t ask how much I paid for it ‘cause I ain’t telling you!

I have been making up stories about my mask being used by this great warrior sacrificing his life for something even greater. Too bad we don’t get to hear stories these kind of antique pieces have in them. It’s mostly just guessing and story-telling. But, what I am sure of is that this mask will go where ever I go – and have at least my personal history with it.

He looks kind of sad, doesn't he?

Kent - 747

Kent, one of my favourite bands ever.

“747”, makes me want to play guitar (if I only could).

I still remember my first Kent gig. It was in 1997 (Tampere, Finland). At that time people still bought their tickets at record stores (or at least I did!). Well, I went to get my ticket and saw this most amazing poster there at the record store! It was just for promotional use so they were not selling it (I did try hard persuading them). I guess they had some kind of a tradition of giving away posters after gigs, and they didn’t take reservations of any kind. What they told me was that there had already been lots and lots and lost of people wanting that particular poster! My luck…

The gig was awesome. I remember standing in the very first row – I could almost touch them! After the show I crawled (really!) on the stage trying to get as many picks as possible. My sister collected them (I don’t know if she still does). I did manage to get some… The very next day (it must have been quite early) I walked by  

t h a t record store and decided to give it a shot.

Now you must have guessed the rest: I got it! I got it!

My luck has totally changed since then but… I can always say having an authentic Kent poster (if it really matters). Enjoy!

(photo by Picture Effect Magic)

                                                       

Dingo - Lähetyssaarnaaja

I got my first glimpse at being a fan and loving music at the age of five. And, I didn’t start with no less than Finnish pop rock, Dingo. Being a fan meant something very deep for me, and had it consequences for my whole life. I mean, even in my early thirties I describe myself as a “fan”. A “fan” of music, a “fan” of bands, a “fan” of artists.

I have nothing but great memories about Dingo, being a fan. (I even got to see Dingo at my early age. I only remember drawing onto their dusty bus “<3 Johanna”. All in all, Dingo represents chiffon scarves, insurgency, tons of hair spray, and c-cassettes for me.

But, a few words about Dingo:

Dingo is a Finnish band formed around 1982 which fused Finnish melancholy with catchy rock  melodies, headed by singer Pertti Neumann (also known as Pertti Nieminen). For a few years of top success Dingo was one of the most popular Finnish rock bands and caused a phenomenon called "Dingomania" all over
Finland. (source: Wikipedia, 31.12.2011)

Lähetyssaarnaaja - Dingo

the Cure - Friday I'm in Love

I so remember this one summer more than 10 years ago, 1998 to be more exact. I was taking this summer course in order to get into the university that same summer, and was staying with my friend for a whole month. Instead of really studying and getting ready for that exam I had my first cigarette and did a whole lot of drinking. So, meaningless to say, this summer course didn’t have that much to give…

My friend had Friday I’m in Love on vinyl – c’moon! It must have been the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. I still remember the cover – and here’s a reminder for the rest of you. So, in short, the Cure – Friday I’m in Love represents the summer of 1998 to me. And, I did get into that university.