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The Sámi Pavilion

In an historic first, the Nordic Pavilion in Venice has transformed into 'The Sámi Pavilion', with a project commissioned by Office for Contemporary Art Norway (OCA) featuring the Sámi artists Pauliina Feodoroff, Máret Ánne Sara and Anders Sunna during the 59th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in 2022. This transformation of the Nordic Pavilion celebrates the art and sovereignty of the Indigenous Sámi people, whose nation extends across the Nordic countries and into the Kola Peninsula in Russia.

'The Sámi Pavilion' project is curated by a group consisting of Sámi scholar Liisa-Rávná Finbog, OCA’s Director Katya García-Antón and Sámi land guardian Beaska Niillas; curatorial assistants: Liv Brissach, Raisa Porsanger and Martina Petrelli. Following the Sámi custom of learning from elders of the community, the selected artists benefited from the individual guidance of chosen elders Karen Ellen Marie Siri Utsi, Asta Mitkijá Balto and Ánde Somby. In partnership with Sámi University College, the 'Sámi Pathfinders' programme brings together students from across Sápmi to act as mediators for ‘The Sámi Pavilion’ project. The 'Sámi Pathfinders' guide visitors through the exhibition, offering insights on culture and society from a Sámi perspective.

Film by Egil Pedersen – Snöfokk Film AS. Produced by Office for Contemporary Art Norway (OCA). Music by Mette Henriette (ECM)
Sami Pavilion support

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