The artist talks about the audio work Pet Cemetery


At the pet cemetery in Sanginsuu, you can take a moment to listen to Felicia Honkasalo’s audio work about the boundaries of remembering and forgetting. Photo: Satu Pietilä.

Felicia Honkasalo

The audio work starts at the pet cemetery. Find a comfortable spot or take a walk along the paths in the cemetery and let the voice-over guide you.

Why do some animals have names, a grave and a place in our hearts, while others are completely forgotten? Who do we call a friend, and who do we call a foe? The soundscape invites you to reflect on these questions and think about how the boundaries of remembering and forgetting shape our understanding of the world.

The work leads visitors to reflect on who will remain in our memories and who will disappear into oblivion, be they people or other living creatures. The distinction we draw between pets and wild animals – the ones that are close and distant, friends and foes – is not permanent. It is a reflection of our culture, history and choices. The work offers a glimpse not only into the lives of individual animals but also into the wide spectrum of human-animal relationships.

You can listen to the work with headphones in the cemetery and along the trail, and you can download it to your phone.

PET CEMETERY, binaural audio work (2025)
Length: 32:51 min
Script and direction: Felicia Honkasalo
Narrator: Sinikka Sokka
Sound design: Suvi-Tuuli Kataja & Jussi Liukkonen
Dramaturgical support: Suvi-Tuuli Kataja
Thanks: Mikko Lanto, Oulu Region Animal Welfare Association

The audio work can be listened to along the Kiekonlenkki trail. The starting point marked in the picture is the pet cemetery, Sanginsuu, Oulu. You can also download the QR code required for listening at other places marked with the number 1 from the sign of the work.

The organisers of the Sanginkontu art trails

The art trails have been designed in accordance with the principles of sustainable development

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