LB°24 — About
Verdde is a nomadic art institution which, through contemporary art, works to make the indigenous Sami people more visible. A collaboration was established between Verdde and Luleåbiennalen in 2024, resulting in a continuous effort regarding cultural sustainability within the biennial.
Verdde promotes how the Sami people and way of life is present throughout Norrbotten and thus should be recurrently included and made visible as a natural part of the region. Verdde does not have a base of its own, but instead moves into the spaces of other organizations and become part of their public programme, as well as their ongoing structural operations. In collaboration with established organizations which lack, or want to strengthen, their own Sami competences, Verdde involves, activates and affects visitors and institutional frameworks. Each collaboration is customized according to the partner’s organization, operations and needs, and our aim is to have our activities contribute to new and sustainable institutional working methods, which make visible a larger variety of Sami artists. Verdde contributes both knowledge and experience through artistic expressions which take root in and affect each collaborating partner's working methods and audiences going forward. They strive to establish positive conversations, understanding and exchanges across kitchen tables as well as workplace break rooms and in the offices of lawmakers.
Since 2024, Verdde is a permanent feature at Luleåbiennalen through the artwrok hálijdibme badjelándas / wishes from the highlands by duojar Tilde-Ristin Kuoljok. The artwork, which will always be included in the internal working process and be made visible to the public at each biennial edition, is a reminder of the Sami presence in Julevu Luleå and Norrbotten.
“The artwork is a wish and a reminder for Luleå from Badjelánnda. They are two sibling sites, directly linked through Julevädno (the Lule River). I feel like it’s been forgotten that Luleå are eastern winter pastures. The link that has existed between the places has been exchanged for an ore railway, which alters perspectives and places Luleå in the south.”
Tilde-Ristin Kuoljok, hálijdibme badjelándas / wishes from the highlands, 2024, Konsthallen Kulturens Hus, Luleå. Photo: Simon Eliasson
The opportunity to present Kuoljok’s work permanently within the framework of Luleåbiennalen has contributed to promoting cultural sustainability within the biennial organization and its continued artistic work.
Verdde was initiated in 2023 in the northernmost parts of Sápmi. The institution was created by Maria Svonni who organizes its activities together with Rámavuol Elle Bigge / Ellen B. Dalbakk.
Learn more about Verdde here.
Supported by The Postcode Foundation and Region Norrbotten.