Kimmo Kuusniemi’s
Ancient Streaming Assembly (ASA)
Evolving amidst the shadows of an imminent environmental crisis, Kimmo Kuusniemi’s Ancient Streaming Assembly (ASA) is a harrowing cross-arts odyssey led by the visionary artist himself, with the support of Sakari Heiskanen and Tuomas Rounakari. ASA bridges the chasm between mankind’s ancestral wisdom and our dystopian reality, crafting an immersive audiovisual journey. Through haunting melodies, gripping visuals, and the echoes of ancient tales, ASA beckons the world to confront our fragile existence and rediscover the harmonies that once bound us to nature. As a fluid and evolving project, ASA invites collaboration across diverse art forms, seeking to intertwine varying artistic expressions into its profound narrative.
A Confluence of Art, Culture, and Environment
With the release of the latest video and song, “Aurora Nuclearis,” ASA continues to push artistic boundaries. The full 12-minute audiovisual experience is a testament to Kimmo’s distinctive approach. For those who prefer shorter, bite-sized content, there are seven mini music videos, each approximately 1 minute and 15 seconds long. These short videos, each inspired by an old environmental proverb, offer thought-provoking reflections for the modern viewer. As we move forward, ASA will continue this dual format—long-form and short-form music videos—to accommodate diverse viewing preferences while delivering powerful, environmentally charged messages.
Kimmo Kuusniemi, as the visionary behind ASA, works closely with Sakari Heiskanen, who contributes as a conceptual and ideological force. Together, they shape the project’s narrative and mission, ensuring it resonates deeply with contemporary audiences while staying true to its core message of environmental sustainability and cultural preservation.
Tuomas Rounakari, while a permanent musical collaborator, continues to contribute deeply to ASA’s evolving soundscapes. He brings his expertise in indigenous cultures and ancient traditions, blending these with contemporary relevance to enrich the project’s artistic and cultural depth.
To contact us: tarja@ancientstreaming.com
About Kimmo Kuusniemi
Finnish-born visionary artist, Kimmo Kuusniemi stands at the intersection of art, music, film, and environmental advocacy. Currently, Kuusniemi is engaged in several cutting-edge projects that blend technology, art, and environmental activism. One of his latest initiatives, the “Ancient Streaming Assembly”, merges traditional wisdom with modern digital platforms to promote environmental sustainability and cultural preservation.
Godfather of Finnish Heavy Metal in the 70s
In the late 1970s, Kuusniemi established the legendary band Sarcofagus. Blending progressive and experimental elements with heavy rock, Sarcofagus crafted a version of heavy metal that was distinctly ahead of its time. Always at the cutting edge of innovation, Kuusniemi has consistently harnessed the latest technology to expand his artistic expression.
Music Video Pioneer in the 80s
In 1981, showcasing his forward-thinking prowess, Kuusniemi produced and directed a full album length broadcast quality music video for his third album, Kimmo Kuusniemi Band “Moottorilinnut”. Coincidentally, this was the same year MTV made its debut in the USA, signalling the onset of a new era for music and visual media. Though MTV was launching on the other side of the Atlantic, Kuusniemi's ambitious project underscored his position at the forefront of the evolving music-video landscape.
Eco-Filmmaker Before It Was Cool
In the 1980s, Kuusniemi ventured deeply into environmental film-making. He produced a series of informational short films and documentaries highlighting various environmental topics, aimed at educating and raising public awareness.
Forseer of The Present in the 90s
This commitment to environmental consciousness culminated in 1991 with the Double Vision’s "Dream On" project—a compelling film and extended single produced for the International World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The project received high visibility in the Music TV Europe and Asia.
More than three decades ago, the "Dream On" music video projected a cautionary tale of an impending environmental crisis. Disturbingly, the future once envisioned by the "Dream On" project has now become our present reality, showcasing humanity's prolonged inaction.
Architect of Alternative Global Documentaries
Following "Dream On", Kuusniemi continued to make his mark in the realm of film and television. He produced several TV documentaries that achieved international distribution.
Among his most notable works is the groundbreaking 8-hour adventure/history TV series, "Baltic Sea Adventure” which garnered widespread acclaim and captivated audiences globally from Greenland to Australia. The "Baltic Sea Adventure" series is the most comprehensive TV series about the Baltic Sea countries, cultures, and environment.
Notably, the Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior ship was meant to be part of the series, but due to an unforeseen delay with the diving boat being stuck in a different part of the Baltic, the meeting was missed.
The Visionary of Things To Come
Whether through his compelling documentaries, informational films, or innovative projects, Kuusniemi's work continues to resonate with the imperative need to harmonise with nature, drawing insights from the past and weaving them into the tapestry of today's narrative. His vision for a sustainable future is reflected in all aspects of his diverse and dynamic career.
About Sakari Heiskanen
Sakari Heiskanen is a versatile Finnish media producer and transmedia specialist with a rich background spanning journalism, TV entertainment, and book publishing. Raised in a creative environment, Sakari's passion for storytelling and media was sparked at a young age, influenced by his art director father. Over the years, he has evolved into a seasoned professional, pioneering event streaming and podcast production while making significant contributions to the digital media landscape.
The Architect of Transmedia Experiences
With a BA in Media Production and a thesis on virtual reality, Sakari has always been at the forefront of technological innovation in media. His expertise extends across multiple platforms, seamlessly blending traditional and digital media to create immersive experiences. As a creative wellbeing expert and advisor, Sakari’s work often intersects with themes of mental wellness and artistic expression, making him a sought-after figure in both the media and arts communities.
Chief Whisperer and Master of Brainwaves at ASA
Together with Kimmo, Sakari is a conceptual and ideological force behind the *Ancient Streaming Assembly* (ASA), a groundbreaking collective cross-arts project by visionary artist Kimmo Kuusniemi. Serving as the "Chief Whisperer and Master of Brainwaves," Sakari is instrumental in shaping the project’s narrative and ensuring its alignment with its core mission: merging traditional wisdom with cutting-edge technology to promote environmental sustainability and cultural preservation.
The ASA is already creating a new form of art that resonates with contemporary audiences while honouring ancient traditions. Sakari's deep understanding of transmedia storytelling is crucial in realizing the project's ambitious goals, ensuring that it not only reaches a global audience but also inspires meaningful change.
About Tuomas Ruonakari
Diving deep into the archived recordings of Siberian shamans, Tuomas birthed the SHAMANVIOLIN performance. His art is deeply influenced by the historical wax-cylinder recordings made by Finnish ethnographer Kai Donner between 1912 and 1914, which highlighted extinct languages and forgotten songs. Tuomas’ field trip to Siberia in 2002 further immersed him in the indigenous Khanty and Forest-Nenets cultures, expanding his repertoire.
A child prodigy on the violin, he always had an affinity for music that sent him into a trance state. Moving to New York City in 1998, Tuomas explored World music and recognized the value of oral traditions. This epiphany led him back to his Finnish roots, where he discovered the intersection of Siberian shamanic music with Finnish laments.
By 2001, Tuomas was back in Finland, evolving his Shamanviolin performance and integrating his compositions with musical traditions from the Eurasian Arctic. This journey also led him to teach laments, revitalising this almost-extinct musical tradition.
Today, Tuomas continues to travel the globe, performing with Shamanviolin, while also conducting workshops on shamanic traditions and music.
Having completed his doctoral studies in music at the Sibelius Academy, he now holds the title of Doctor of Music.
Tuomas unites traditions, times, and cultures, inviting all into a transcendent musical experience exclusively through the soundscapes of Shamanviolin.
