Guldalit, Čatnasit, Ciekkadit (2023) is an environmental and spatial art work in which Stina Aletta Aikio combines more or less processed natural materials with a lávvu belonging to the iconic Sámi imagery. The work’s showcase-like structure considers issues of presentation and being on display. Glass as an element plays a central role in the work. Glass protects what is placed behind it, but it also isolates it from the viewer, preventing touching, hearing and communication/interaction based on them. The showcase freezes the reciprocal relationship of humans with the land and other living things, which requires listening to be established in order to create relationships. The same freeze can govern more broadly how the Sámi are presented and seen – or remain unseen and unheard.
The art work Guldalit, Čatnasit, Ciekkadit is part of the Logi – Ontological Politics of Sámi Cultural Heritage project (2019-2021(23)), funded by the Kone Foundation, which creates knowledge and realities through Sámi art.
The substantive process of the work and its completion have also been supported by the Academy of Finland-funded scientific project Árbi and its research group examining the ontological politics of Sámi cultural heritage.
Partners
University of Lapland
Metal frame construction: Onnellisen Sepän Paja
Assembly of the artwork and installation of the glasses: Pohjoisen Lasipalvelu Oy
Peat moss was gifted by: Kunttakeisari
Acknowledgements
Thank you Arvind Ramachandra for his help with the technical drawings of the work.
Thanks for the loan of the kitchen and for help in boiling the beef bones; Bar52, Pekka Levisalo, Niina Kuisma and Pauli Alanen.
SÁMIPOLITY 