A series of lectures, screenings, conversations, performances, poetry, yoik, music and exhibitions
March 14–17, 2019
The Office for Contemporary Art Norway (OCA) and artist collective Dáiddadállu announce SápmiToo, a four-day programme of lectures, screenings, conversations, performances, poetry, yoik, music and exhibitions curated by Dáiddadállu, taking place in Máze and Guovdageaidnu.
With SápmiToo, OCA continues its long-term engagement with the town of Máze, iconic in recent Sámi political history, and its advocacy for the establishment of an international Indigenous artist residency at the former headquarters of the Mázejoavku: Sámi Dáiddajoavku.
Seeking to empower women, artists and Sámi curatorial methodologies, SápmiToo addresses gender roles, violence and sexual abuse in Sápmi and Indigenous communities, the relationship of these realities to the colonial experience, and how art and artists can be at the centre of these important ongoing conversations.
Programme contributors include Wanda Nanibush, Mari Boine, Roger Ludvigsen, Johan Sara Jr, Jenni Laiti, Hilde Skancke Pedersen, Susanne Hætta, Máret Ánne Sara, Timimie Märak, Ánna-Katri Helander, Mikkel Eskil Mikkelsen, Johan Vasara, Dine Fenger Lynge, Elle Sofe Sara, Liv Inger Somby, Nils Joel Partapuoli, Sara Marielle Gaup Beaska, Taqralik Partridge, Margrethe Bals Utsi, Anne Lene Turi Dimpas, Inga Marja Steinfjell, Article 3 (Christina Hætta, Élle Márjá Eira, Anne Henriette Reinås Niilut, Sunna Nousuniemi), Anne Merete Gaup, Ingá Márjá Sarre, Katarina Kielatis, Rauna Kuokkanen, Katya García-Antón, Silja Somby, Lisa Kristensen, Runar Myrnes Balto, Liselotte Wajstedt, Elle-Máijá Tailfeather, Lada Suomenrinne, Élle Márjá Eira, Marja Bål Nango, Elin Marakatt and Ante Guttormsen.
The programme is available at oca.no.
OCA’s advocacy for the establishment of an international Indigenous artist residency in Máze forms part of its extended commitment to Sápmi/Northern Norway that began in 2015. A pillar of this commitment is lobbying for the restoration of the Mázejoavku: Sámi Dáiddajoavku, atelier of the legendary Sámi Artist Group who were instrumental in the first European eco-Indigenous uprising, the Áltá Action (c. 1978–82).
About Dáiddadállu
Dáiddadállu is a Sámi artist collective initiated by artist Máret Ánne Sara and choreographer and filmmaker Elle Sofe Henriksen, founded in 2014. Now nearly 20 member strong, Dáiddadállu artists work across various fields such as contemporary art, photography, film, radio and television production, graphic design, poetry, music, choreography, interior design, theatre, yoik and music. Members are based or connected to Guovdageaidnu, but travel and work with projects and productions around the world.
About Mázejoavku: Sámi Dáiddajoavku
The artists’ house in Máze was founded in 1978 as the working headquarters of the Mázejoavku: Sámi Dáiddajoavku (Sámi Artists’ Group) by Aage Gaup, Berit Marit Hætta, Britta Marakatt-Labba, Josef Halse, Keviselie/Hans Ragnar Mathisen, Rannveig Persen, Synnøve Persen and Trygve Lund Guttormsen. The house was a catalyst of political activism for the Sámi people during the 1970s, and a great source of creative energy in the region ever since. By locating themselves at the core of Sápmi in the village of Máze, Mázejoavku: Sámi Dáiddajoavku became a central voice in the larger political movement of the 1970s. Their work at the time became inspirational across the Nordic countries, and between other Indigenous peoples, nurturing new generations of artists in Sápmi and a way of working with the contemporary arts which has left an incomparable legacy behind.
Office for Contemporary Art Norway (OCA)
The Office for Contemporary Art Norway is an independent foundation whose principle aim is to support art practitioners based in Norway, including Sápmi, and to foster exchange and catalyse discourse between Norway and the international arts scene. In addition to administering a series of grant schemes, residencies and visitor programmes, OCA develops its own discursive, exhibition, publication, and research programmes focused on bringing to Norway the plurality of practices and histories at the forefront of international artistic debates while also actively participating in and shaping such debates nationally and internationally. OCA has been responsible for Norway’s contribution to the visual arts section of the Venice Biennale since 2001.
SápmiToo is conceived and organised by Dáiddadállu with the support and collaboration of the Office for Contemporary Art Norway and the Sámediggi of Norway.
