Siivoojan ääni | Cleaner’s Voice (2014)

Directed by Martta Tuomaala
Format: 4:3 | 15-channel installation documentary
Total length: 347 min 14 sec

Dagmar worked 16 hour days from Monday to Sunday without overtime. Leena had to drive buses after only an hour of training and Kirsti became homeless due to serious health issues.

Tendering between service providers, outsourcing and privatisation were explained by using the 90’s depression as an excuse. The employee’s position changed significantly in Finland. At one time, the cleaner was a familiar face in the workplace. Now, the cleaner has the most noticeable uniform in the building, but they are still invisible.

In the installation, it is the voices of the cleaners that are heard. The work depicts the general structures of the cleaning industry and simultaneously relates the story of the cleaner in wider society, from the worker’s own point of view.

More information:

The idea for Cleaner’s Voice came from Tuomaala’s own experiences as a cleaner. Cleaner’s Voice is a long term documentary and a militant research project, which attempts to make the silenced voice of the invisible labour force noticed and heard. The project makes use of methods of art and research to reveal the field of relations prevalent in low-paid sectors such as cleaning. The goal is to work together with different interest groups (such as cleaners, researchers, worker & trade union activists, grass roots movements & organisations), and join in collaborative action to uphold the rights of the workers. The project is processual

in structure with the intention of increasing the number of interviewees and continuing it also in other forms of art, research and action.

Directed & Produced by Martta Tuomaala
Cinematography by Kerttu Hakkarainen
Edited by Ville Hakonen
Sound Design by Ilmari Jyskä & Tuukka Nikkilä
Recorded by Markus Hellas & Martta Tuomaala
Mask & Headdress by Laura Malinen
Colorist Hannu Käki
Graphic Design by Johannes Valkonen
Subtitles Jussi Sandhu
Production year 2012 Kaisla Viitala

Production funded by:
AVEK The Promotion Centre for Audiovisual Culture / Elena Näsänen 2014 & Heidi Tikka 2012
Kone Foundation
Arts Promotion Centre Finland
Artists' and Writers' Association Kiila
Kansan sivistysrahasto
Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture Support Foundation

XX Mänttä Art Festival exhibition funded by:
JHL – Julkisten ja hyvinvointialojen liitto
Helsingin Sosiaalinen Oikeudenmukaisuus ry
PAM – Palvelualojen ammattiliitto
PAM – Etelä-Pohjanmaan osasto ry 031
PAM – Helsingin Kauppatyöntekijät ry osasto 001
PAM – Pääkaupunkiseudun siivous ja toimitilapalvelut ry osasto 555 Yrjö Sirolan Säätiö