Finnish artist Kalle Nio performs 'Tempo' at the Rialto

Finnish artist Kalle Nio recently staged his performance piece titled 'Tempo' at the Rialto. Despite the artist's focus on the theme of boredom, the venue was reportedly sold out. In discussions surrounding the performance, Nio argued that the ability to experience and endure boredom is a valuable gift in modern times. He noted that contemporary society has largely eliminated downtime through constant digital stimulation. This reliance on mobile devices for notifications and constant content consumption prevents individuals from experiencing moments of inactivity. Nio’s perspective draws on the philosophical observation by Blaise Pascal regarding humanity's struggle to remain alone in quiet environments. The performance serves as a commentary on the human compulsion to avoid stillness at any cost.