Northern Norway's Contemporary Art Scene: From Lofoten to Tromsø

A report on northern Norway's vibrant contemporary art scene, covering the Lofoten archipelago and Tromsø. The LIAF (Lofoten International Art Festival) biennial runs from September 1 to October 1 in Henningsvær, featuring artists like Lili Reynaud-Dewar, Adam Linder, and Sondra Perry, curated by Heidi Ballett and Milena Hoegsberg under the title 'I taste the future'. The Arctic Arts Festival in Harstad held its 53rd edition in late June, including the first Arctic Arts Summit. Artscape Nordland has placed 35 site-specific sculptures across the region since 1992, including works by Luciano Fabro, Anish Kapoor, and Dan Graham. The UiT The Arctic University of Tromsø holds over 350 public artworks managed by Koro. The Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum, named 'Museum of the Year 2017' by Museumsforbund, staged the performance 'There is no' imagining a Sámi art museum (Dáiddamusea). Sámi artists Britta Marakatt-Labba, Máret Ánne Sara, and others are featured at documenta 14. Tromsø hosts numerous festivals including Bukta Open Air Festival and TIFF film festival. The city's growth is driven by the university (opened 1972), geopolitical interests, and the fishing industry.