Immortal’s Birthday (2017–2020) pursues the human place in the continuum of existence and ageing and examines practical and metaphysical questions raised by hydra all the way from the 1700s to this day. The work combines Greek myths, spirituality, technology, scientific research, and the Hydra.

Hydra vulgaris is a small fresh-water polyp that do not age – at all.
In addition, hydra can regenerate itself from a small cluster of cells.

The exhibition is a collaboration with Canadian composer and performer Charles Quevillon and consists of videos, installations, photographs and a sound sculpture. The work premiered at Forum Box, Helsinki, Finland in June of 2020. Immortal’s Birthday is a multi-part piece, and the presentation varies.

Exhibitions:
Australian Centre for Photography, Sydney, Australia, 2020.
Forum Box, Helsinki, Finland, 2020.

Maija Tammi and Charles Quevillon: Relic, 2020. Jelly cake, wooden box, light, fabric, transducer speaker and subwoofer. Photograph by Miikka Pirinen.
Party Animal, 2020. Archival pigment print, 110 × 120 cm, framed.
(Installation image) The Problem of the Hydra HD 1080p, color, sound, 9 min, 40 sec., 2017–2020.
Sound design by Charles Quevillon. Voice by Ava Grayson.
Immortal’s Birthday at Forum Box, Helsinki, Finland, June 17 – July 12, 2020. Photograph by Miikka Pirinen.
Immortal’s Birthday, 2020. Archival pigment print, framed, 129 × 115 cm.
Mount Olympus, 2020 Archival pigment print, framed, 123 × 83 cm.
Volunteers 1,2 and 4, 2017–2020.
Dead hydra, microscopic slides, covers, parafilm and nail polish.
(still image) Charles Quevillon and Maija Tammi: Unheroic Labours #2, 2020. HD 1080p. colour, sound, 11 min 9 sec.
(still image) Charles Quevillon and Maija Tammi: Unheroic Labours #2, 2020. HD 1080p. colour, sound, 11 min 9 sec.
Book Immortal by Maija Tammi and Ville Tietäväinen at Forum Box. Photograph by Miikka Pirinen.