Merle Karp is a Helsinki-based visual designer, video artist and VJ, also known as Folded Visuals. She is the artistic director and a co-founder of Aavistus Festival.
In her work, Karp uses video to create moods and environments. Often known for her nature themes, such as mosses, ferns and rippling ponds, she aims to evoke soothing, dreamy mindscapes. Other times, she explores tensions between human and technology, toxic tourism or the pressures that society puts on us.
Contact
karp.merle@gmail.com
@merlemoi
@merlemoi

Upcoming
↳ Arctic Sounds 2023, VJ and AV live performances, 6.–10.4.2023, Sisimiut Greenland
Installations & exhibitions
2023
↳ Talven ja valon juhla, group exhibition (Ahdas), 23.-26.2.2023, Heinola
↳ MONUMENT x CCTV, group exhibition, 11.2.2023, Stockholm
2022
↳ Designs for a Cooler Planet, group exhibition, 7.9.–12.10.2022 in Otaniemi, Espoo.
↳ Bella Skyway festival, group exhibition (Hehku), Poland, 16.–20.8.2022
↳ Flow Festival, group exhibition (Hehku), Helsinki, 12.–14.8.2022
↳ Experiment: Experiment, group exhibition, 24.5.–10.6.2022 in Väre, Espoo
↳ Bella Skyway festival, group exhibition (Hehku), Poland, 16.–20.8.2022
↳ Flow Festival, group exhibition (Hehku), Helsinki, 12.–14.8.2022
↳ Experiment: Experiment, group exhibition, 24.5.–10.6.2022 in Väre, Espoo
2021
↳ Hehku II, invitational video installation, Reflektor light art festival, Espoo
↳ Rajapinnalla / Bad UI, invitational video installation, Ars 108, Nokia
↳ Hehku, commissioned video installation, Polar Night Light Festival, Ruka
2019
↳ Sails, commissioned video installation, Museum of Finnish Architecture
↳ Magic forest room, immersive video installation, Pikkukarhu, Järvenpää
↳ Site-specific projection mapping, Apupyörä, Helsinki
2018
↳ Forest meets forest, invitational video installation, Hear Art-See Sound Festival, Lori Armenia
↳ Visupesä, immersive video installation, Ihmelehto, Helsinki
↳ Visupesä, interactive video installation with VJ TÄ9Q, Entropy: Aktiiviloma
↳ Site-specific projection mapping, I Land Sound Festival, Saaremaa Estonia
↳ Maze, stage design and immersive video installation, Entropy 25V, Cirko Helsinki
↳ Site-specific projection mapping, Roban avajaiset, Iso-Roobertinkatu Helsinki
2016
↳ Aquarium tent, video installation, Metsareiv, Ulge Estonia
2015
↳ Site-specific projection mapping, Kuru Plirr Festival, Estonia
↳ Untitled video installation with VJ Indigo, Unhola, Helsinki
↳ Magic forest room, immersive video installation, Pikkukarhu, Järvenpää
2014
↳ Untitled video installation, Entropy <3 HYTKY: Kiehumispiste, Helsinki
↳ Välissä / In between, video installation, Päiväunia luupainajasta 90x5, Gallery MAA-tila, Helsinki
↳ Hehku II, invitational video installation, Reflektor light art festival, Espoo
↳ Rajapinnalla / Bad UI, invitational video installation, Ars 108, Nokia
↳ Hehku, commissioned video installation, Polar Night Light Festival, Ruka
2019
↳ Sails, commissioned video installation, Museum of Finnish Architecture
↳ Magic forest room, immersive video installation, Pikkukarhu, Järvenpää
↳ Site-specific projection mapping, Apupyörä, Helsinki
2018
↳ Forest meets forest, invitational video installation, Hear Art-See Sound Festival, Lori Armenia
↳ Visupesä, immersive video installation, Ihmelehto, Helsinki
↳ Visupesä, interactive video installation with VJ TÄ9Q, Entropy: Aktiiviloma
↳ Site-specific projection mapping, I Land Sound Festival, Saaremaa Estonia
↳ Maze, stage design and immersive video installation, Entropy 25V, Cirko Helsinki
↳ Site-specific projection mapping, Roban avajaiset, Iso-Roobertinkatu Helsinki
2016
↳ Aquarium tent, video installation, Metsareiv, Ulge Estonia
2015
↳ Site-specific projection mapping, Kuru Plirr Festival, Estonia
↳ Untitled video installation with VJ Indigo, Unhola, Helsinki
↳ Magic forest room, immersive video installation, Pikkukarhu, Järvenpää
2014
↳ Untitled video installation, Entropy <3 HYTKY: Kiehumispiste, Helsinki
↳ Välissä / In between, video installation, Päiväunia luupainajasta 90x5, Gallery MAA-tila, Helsinki
Collective efforts
2021–present
↳ Co-founder, producer, Nordic Lights
↳ Co-founder, producer, Nordic Lights
2019–present
↳ Co-founder, artistic and managing director, Aavistus Festival
↳ Co-founder, artistic and managing director, Aavistus Festival
Other
↳ Stage designer and curator, Entropy 25V, 2018
↳ Curator for the Opening club, AAVE Festival, 2018
↳ Curator for the Opening club, AAVE Festival, 2018
Education
2020–present
↳ Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication Design
2016
↳ Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
Bachelor of Business Administration
↳ Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication Design
2016
↳ Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
Bachelor of Business Administration
Publications
2022
↳ Rajapinnalla / Bad UI was featured in Plymouth University's Message Journal, a peer-reviewed journal on graphic design research.
↳ Rajapinnalla / Bad UI was featured in Plymouth University's Message Journal, a peer-reviewed journal on graphic design research.
Interviews, discussions and articles
2022
↳ Nordic culture & underground funding, panelist, Aavistus Festival, 6.10.
↳ Nordic Lights panel discussion, moderator, Nonagon Festival, 16.8.
↳ Luna Radio programme on IDA Radio. 14.9.
↳ Nordic culture & underground funding, panelist, Aavistus Festival, 6.10.
↳ Nordic Lights panel discussion, moderator, Nonagon Festival, 16.8.
↳ Luna Radio programme on IDA Radio. 14.9.
2021
↳ Valoterapiaa kaamokseen – Videoinstallaatio pohtii ristiriitaa, mutta toimii myös valoterapiana. Koillissanomat 25.1.
↳ Videotaiteilija pohtii ristiriitaa kaukokaipuun ja matkailun kestämättömyyden välillä – katso, miltä näyttää Polar Night Light -festivaalilla tänä vuonna. Kaleva 22.1.
2020
↳ VJ-kulttuuri sai ensimmäisen kotimaisen festivaalinsa: Ideoita visuaaliseen ilmaisuun haetaan vaikkapa Leonardo da Vinciltä Yle News 4.10.2020
↳ Yle TV news 4.10.2020
↳ Aavistus Festival artist talk, moderator, 3.10.2020
↳ Valoterapiaa kaamokseen – Videoinstallaatio pohtii ristiriitaa, mutta toimii myös valoterapiana. Koillissanomat 25.1.
↳ Videotaiteilija pohtii ristiriitaa kaukokaipuun ja matkailun kestämättömyyden välillä – katso, miltä näyttää Polar Night Light -festivaalilla tänä vuonna. Kaleva 22.1.
2020
↳ VJ-kulttuuri sai ensimmäisen kotimaisen festivaalinsa: Ideoita visuaaliseen ilmaisuun haetaan vaikkapa Leonardo da Vinciltä Yle News 4.10.2020
↳ Yle TV news 4.10.2020
↳ Aavistus Festival artist talk, moderator, 3.10.2020
2018
↳ Last night a VJ saved my life, panel discussion by Entropy & Helsinki City Museum, panelist, 2018
↳ Last night a VJ saved my life, panel discussion by Entropy & Helsinki City Museum, panelist, 2018
2017
↳ Entropy's VJ course, lecturer, 2017
↳ Entropy's VJ course, lecturer, 2017
Live visual performances
2023 1/1
↳ Kaiku, 20.1.
↳ Kaiku, 20.1.
2022 8/9
↳ Kaiku, 3.12.
↳ DTM & Korgy: Halloween, Ääniwalli, 29.10.
↳ Ääniaalto festival, 23.–24.9.
↳ I'm the Monster, video production and live visuals for Kay Taavitsainen's solo production. Zodiak Helsinki 1.–14.9.
↳ Nonagon Festival, Sweden, 12.–14.8.
↳ Kajo Finnjamboree, Evo Hämeenlinna, 15.-23.7.
↳ H(E)AVEN, Kaiku, 1.7.
↳ I'm the Monster, Dance Theatre Minimi at Kuopio City Theatre, 4.-5.5.
↳ Kaiku, 3.12.
↳ DTM & Korgy: Halloween, Ääniwalli, 29.10.
↳ Ääniaalto festival, 23.–24.9.
↳ I'm the Monster, video production and live visuals for Kay Taavitsainen's solo production. Zodiak Helsinki 1.–14.9.
↳ Nonagon Festival, Sweden, 12.–14.8.
↳ Kajo Finnjamboree, Evo Hämeenlinna, 15.-23.7.
↳ H(E)AVEN, Kaiku, 1.7.
↳ I'm the Monster, Dance Theatre Minimi at Kuopio City Theatre, 4.-5.5.
2021 8/8
↳ Kotimaan teknokatsaus XII, Kuudes linja, 12.12.
↳ Slush Afterparty Amphiteater stage, 2.12.
↳ Nature as Magic, Elektron Festival, Tallinn, Estonia, 27.11.
↳ TYEMYY: Ecclesia II, Martinkirkko Turku, 5.11.
↳ Drifts Festival: Deep Swamp with Olle Holmberg, 6.8.
↳ DTM Pride, Ääniwalli, 3.7.
↳ Nature as Magic, Pixelache Festival in Oodi, 10.6.
↳ NAVA: CCTV, Stockholm, 6.3.
↳ Kotimaan teknokatsaus XII, Kuudes linja, 12.12.
↳ Slush Afterparty Amphiteater stage, 2.12.
↳ Nature as Magic, Elektron Festival, Tallinn, Estonia, 27.11.
↳ TYEMYY: Ecclesia II, Martinkirkko Turku, 5.11.
↳ Drifts Festival: Deep Swamp with Olle Holmberg, 6.8.
↳ DTM Pride, Ääniwalli, 3.7.
↳ Nature as Magic, Pixelache Festival in Oodi, 10.6.
↳ NAVA: CCTV, Stockholm, 6.3.
2020 8/11
↳ TYEMYY: Ecclesia, Turku, 7.11.
↳ Aavistus Festival, 2.-4.10.
↳ Nordic Audiovisual Artists: Visualia, Reaktorhallen Stockhlom, 11.9.
↳ LOVI Ambientklubi, 3.9.
↳ SUMU: Usva, 6.6.
↳ Troubleshooting, Kaiku, 21.2.
↳ Holiday Club Paradisco, 8.2.
↳ Pixelache: Burn_, Publics, 31.1.
↳ TYEMYY: Ecclesia, Turku, 7.11.
↳ Aavistus Festival, 2.-4.10.
↳ Nordic Audiovisual Artists: Visualia, Reaktorhallen Stockhlom, 11.9.
↳ LOVI Ambientklubi, 3.9.
↳ SUMU: Usva, 6.6.
↳ Troubleshooting, Kaiku, 21.2.
↳ Holiday Club Paradisco, 8.2.
↳ Pixelache: Burn_, Publics, 31.1.
2019 11/21
↳ UNI: Marco Shuttle (IT), UNI Tallinn, 20.12.
↳ APAREIV 2019, 8.11.
↳ H(E)AVEN, Kaiku, 20.9.
↳ Kotimaan teknokatsaus XI, 13.9.
↳ VISIO Festival, 5.–7.9.
↳ THRDEYEVSN, 14.6.
↳ Kontula Electronic, 18.5.
↳ Querelle Festival, 26.-27.4.
↳ LOVI ambientklubi, Lavaklubi, 25.4.
↳ Assel Abilseitova, Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall, 20.4.
↳ MYÖS: Lying Down - Loikoilu, Kallio Stage, 24.2.
↳ UNI: Marco Shuttle (IT), UNI Tallinn, 20.12.
↳ APAREIV 2019, 8.11.
↳ H(E)AVEN, Kaiku, 20.9.
↳ Kotimaan teknokatsaus XI, 13.9.
↳ VISIO Festival, 5.–7.9.
↳ THRDEYEVSN, 14.6.
↳ Kontula Electronic, 18.5.
↳ Querelle Festival, 26.-27.4.
↳ LOVI ambientklubi, Lavaklubi, 25.4.
↳ Assel Abilseitova, Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall, 20.4.
↳ MYÖS: Lying Down - Loikoilu, Kallio Stage, 24.2.
2018 11/29
↳ A Night with Calypso, Kaiku
↳ Julefest hos Medicineheads, Oslo
↳FEMALIEN the solo experiment
↳ Entropy 25 years
↳ Proper settings: RAJA
↳ Ihmelehto - Päivölän pidot
↳ Mesmer with Elfenberg (Stil Vor Talent, 3000° Records)
↳ Turku Modern 2018
↳ AAVE Festival Opening Club
↳ KAAVA, Kaiku
↳ THRDEYEVSN, Kaiku
↳ A Night with Calypso, Kaiku
↳ Julefest hos Medicineheads, Oslo
↳FEMALIEN the solo experiment
↳ Entropy 25 years
↳ Proper settings: RAJA
↳ Ihmelehto - Päivölän pidot
↳ Mesmer with Elfenberg (Stil Vor Talent, 3000° Records)
↳ Turku Modern 2018
↳ AAVE Festival Opening Club
↳ KAAVA, Kaiku
↳ THRDEYEVSN, Kaiku
2017 11/36
↳ HYTKY & Vialliset: A.I.
↳ Urban Apa Festival, Ateneum
↳ THRDEYEVSN, Ääniwalli
↳ Ihmelehto
↳ Flow Festival 2017
↳ Norbergfestival 2017, Sweden
↳ I Land Sound festival, Estonia
↳ Tanz durch den Tag: Aufwind Festival, Grelle Forelle Vienna
↳ Playground AV Festival, Vienna
↳ HYTKY: Fauna
↳ Kotimaan Teknokatsaus IX
↳ HYTKY & Vialliset: A.I.
↳ Urban Apa Festival, Ateneum
↳ THRDEYEVSN, Ääniwalli
↳ Ihmelehto
↳ Flow Festival 2017
↳ Norbergfestival 2017, Sweden
↳ I Land Sound festival, Estonia
↳ Tanz durch den Tag: Aufwind Festival, Grelle Forelle Vienna
↳ Playground AV Festival, Vienna
↳ HYTKY: Fauna
↳ Kotimaan Teknokatsaus IX
2013–2016 8/69
↳ HYTKY 20V
↳ Diskometsä: Canson LIVE
↳ Bassoradio: Sideways 2016 after party
↳ Kaiku & Kuudes Linja NYE 2016, Kaiku
↳ Diskometsä: Rampue
↳ Unhola: Ninze & Okaxy, Unhola
↳ TRAX CASINO
↳ KULTTI Festival
↳ HYTKY 20V
↳ Diskometsä: Canson LIVE
↳ Bassoradio: Sideways 2016 after party
↳ Kaiku & Kuudes Linja NYE 2016, Kaiku
↳ Diskometsä: Rampue
↳ Unhola: Ninze & Okaxy, Unhola
↳ TRAX CASINO
↳ KULTTI Festival