Joar Nango, Girjegumpi in Jokkmokk, 2018. Photo: Astrid Fadnes
The Sámi are Indigenous people of Northern Europe. Their traditional lands extend across the region of Sápmi (formerly known as Lapland), covering northern Norway and parts of Sweden, Finland, and northwestern Russia. Traditionally they have been reindeer herders, moving semi-nomadically.
Joar Nango is one of only a few practicing Sámi architects in the world.
For the Sámi, Nango says, architecture is something that isn’t monolithic and static but adaptable and mobile, responding to landscapes and the seasons. Qualities from which other cultures can learn.
Nango has travelled to Aotearoa New Zealand to present, with collaborators, the exhibition Building an archive of Indigenous architecture at Objectspace in Tāmaki-Makaurau Auckland.
Girjegumpi: The Sámi Architecture Libraryat the Nordic Countries Pavilion, 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, 2023 Photo: LAURIANGHINITOIU
Based in Norway, Nango formally trained as both an architect and artist. He makes collaborative site-specific art installations and publications that explore the boundaries between architecture, design and visual art.
His work has been presented at major contemporary exhibition documenta 14 and his Sámi Architecture Library Girjegumpi was at the Venice Architecture Exhibition in 2023.
Joar Nango joins Culture 101’s Mark Amery.
The exhibition Building an archive of Indigenous architecture will close for the summer break on 20 December, and re-open on 14 January, and is free to visit until 16 March.
