The art project for Čoarvemátta – the Sámi High School and the Sámi National Theatre Beaivváš in Guovdageaidnu / Kautokeino, takes as its point of departure art which is deeply rooted in the Sámi world perspective and in traditional knowledge.
The Sámi National Theatre Beaivváš presents stories and theatre performances from a Sámi world perspective, while the Sámi High School and Reindeer Husbandry School provides tuition in traditional knowledge, culture and language to Sámi youth. The overarching curatorial approach for the art project is based on two concepts or values that are both fundamental and deeply rooted in Sámi cultural understanding: vuoiŋŋalašvuohta, Sámi spirituality, and árbemáhttu, traditional knowledge.Particular emphasis is placed on the representation of different geographical areas within Sápmi and selected artists that work with diverse approaches to traditional knowledge and spirituality - and to demonstrate the range and boundary-breaking aspects of Sámi art, from traditional duodji (Sámi handicrafts) to conceptual contemporary art.
It has been an honour and pleasure to work with the curators, the artists and duojárat and KORO / Public Art Norway – thanks for a great collaboration and congratulations to you all!
Artists and duojárat:
Rámavuol Elle Bigge - Sáráhkká, Juoksáhkká ja Uksáhkká - in collaboration with Merethe Ella Márjá Kuhmunen
Fredrik Prost - Máttaráddjá, Meantaš and Beaivvi nieida / The bear, the reindeer stag and the daughter of the sun
Britta Marakatt-Labba - Miin Duoddarat / Our plains
Elle Valkeapää - Šiella
Máret Ánne Sara - Gapmu
Laila Mari Brandsfjell (coming in 2025)
Iver Jåks - Beaivi ja biegga / Sun and Wind (1996)
Aage Gaup - Girdinoaiddi loddi / Bird of the Flying Shaman (1988)
Curators:
Monica Milch Gebhardt with Anniina Turunen and Joar Nango
Production of the grand drape: Big Image