Lofoten International Art Festival 2015 Explores Disappearing Acts in Arctic Archipelago

The Lofoten International Art Festival (LIAF) of 2015, themed Disappearing Acts, takes place from August 28 to September 27 at the Jern & Bygg venue in Norway's Lofoten archipelago. Curators Matt Packer and Arne Skaug Olsen focus on the local context, prompting artists to produce new pieces that engage with Lofoten's heritage and surroundings. Notable works include Roderick Hietbrink's submerged sculptures and Juha Pekka Matias Laakkonen's material collection on Lille Molla. Katja Novitskova explores discoveries related to hydrothermal vents. The exhibition utilizes the Jern & Bygg hardware store, which operated from 1947 until 2010, symbolizing North Norwegian practicality. The festival delves into human agency, ecology, and technology, presenting them as evolving paths rather than static domains, emphasizing the performative nature of human activities.