From Sápmi to Aotearoa: Connecting structure and craft throughout the hemispheres

Titled Constructing an archive of Indigenous structure, the present is an iteration of Nango’s ‘Girjegumpi’ venture (a nomadic Sámi architectural library), which was introduced on the Nordic International locations Pavilion on the 18th Worldwide Structure Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.

Formally educated as an architect, Joar Nango’s follow contains collaborative site-specific installations and self-made publications that discover the boundaries between structure, design and visible artwork. As one in every of only some Sámi architects, amplifying concepts associated to Indigenous up to date structure and conventional constructing customs are integral to his work.

Location: Objectspace, 13 Rose Highway, Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland
Opening: 6 pm Friday 29 November
Length: 30 November via to 16 March 2025

Starting throughout his time learning structure, Nango has collected books and supplies related to Sámi structure and Indigenous worldviews. In 2018, these texts got here to be housed in Girjegumpi, a nomadic Sámi architectural library that has since travelled throughout Sápmi, and into Europe and Canada. Inside Girjegumpi, Nango provides an area for training and dialogue, addressing points related to Indigenous structure, resistance, and Indigenisation: the significance of collaborative work, consideration of useful resource use in urgently altering climates, regionally grounded materials circulate and delicate approaches to landscapes.

At Objectspace, Nango creates a continuation of Girjegumpi. This manifestation of the venture centres on information sharing and continues Girjegumpi’s foundations of interrogation and change. Previous to the exhibition opening, a gaggle of Indigenous architects from Aotearoa, Sápmi and Australia gathered to supply texts that now turn into a part of Girjegumpi. In Aotearoa, facilitating an area to contemplate Māori structure was integral to the venture and marks the start of change, tautoko and awhi for the practitioners current.

Inside this exhibition, the publications, shifting picture from Nango’s archive, textiles and ephemera create a group emblematic of the collaborative grounding of Nango’s follow. It’s a gathering area, a studying room for examine and a dreaming place for Indigenous creativeness.

Joar Nango’s idea of Girjegumpi

The title Girjegumpi is derived from two Northern Sámi phrases: ‘Gumpi’ is a cell cabin on runners, most frequently pulled by a snowmobile. ‘Girji’ means e-book. The development of Girjegumpi attracts on Sámi constructing traditions, characterised by improvisation, pragmatism and adaptation to setting.

Girjegumpi is a nomadic venture that modifications in numerous conditions and contexts. It was exhibited for the primary time as a part of the Arctic Arts Pageant in Harstad in 2018. It has been exhibited in Jokkmokk, Canada, Bergen, Oslo and most lately Bodø. In 2023, Nango, alongside a staff of collaborators introduced Girjegumpi on the Nordic International locations Pavilion on the 18th Worldwide Structure Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.

Concerning the artist

Joar Nango is an architect and artist primarily based in Romsa, Norway. His work is rooted in Sápmi — the standard Sámi territory overlaying the northern areas of Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. By means of constructing, site-specific interventions, design collaborations, images, publications and video, Nango’s work explores the position of Sámi and Indigenous structure and craft in up to date thought. Nango’s work, together with the long-term venture Girjegumpi, is nurtured by parallel collaborations with different artists, architects, and craftspeople. Educated on the Norwegian College of Science and Expertise (NTNU) in Trondheim, Nango graduated in Structure in 2008. Since then, his work has been introduced at documenta 14, Bergen Kunsthall, Nationwide Museum Oslo – Structure, Canadian Centre for Structure, Sámi Dáiddaguovddáš (Sámi Centre for Up to date Artwork), and Kiasma.

This exhibition contains contributions from Eveliina Sarapää, Magnus Antaris Tuolja, Katarina Spik Skum and Ken Are Bongo.

Joar Nango: Constructing an archive of Indigenous structure has been developed by Objectspace and supported by Nordisk Kulturfond’s Globus initiative and The Warren Belief.

Observe @objectspace for data and updates on upcoming occasions and exhibitions in each Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Ōtautahi Christchurch.