Joar Nango

Girjegumpi

Tromsø
19.03.26
Joar Nango står i et lokale med naturmaterialer som treverk og skinn, samt verktøy og ser mot fotografen.
Joar Nango, foto Knut Aaserud.
About the exhibition
The nomadic library of Sámi architecture, initiated in 2018 by the Tromsø-based architect and artist Joar Nango, has now, after several years of travelling around the world, come to Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum where it will stay for the coming years.

The name Girjegumpi is a portmanteau of the northern Sámi word for books – girji – and gumpi, a portable hut on large skis, often towed by a snowmobile, which is used in reindeer herding. During the festival Festspillene Nord-Norge in 2018, Nango took the initiative to gather all the Sámi architects in Harstad with the goal of forming a professional association. At the same time, he invited craftspeople, artists and duojarat to collaborate on a mobile structure that could serve as a frame for shared research about Sámi architecture.  

Over the course of the last nine years, Girjegumpi has served as a sort of meeting place for discussions on Sámi architecture, art and politics – from festivals in Sápmi to national art museum and international exhibitions. Over time, the library’s collection has grown to almost 800 titles, ranging from books about Sámi architecture and art to publications about Indigenous art, ecology, politics and activism. At each stop along the way, Girjegumpi has provided a framework for conversations and collaboration between artists, architects, researchers and knowledge-bearers. When entering Girjegumpi today, one can see the traces of these meetings in the many artworks, duodji contributions, and memories that fill the room.  

Girjegumpi is not just a unique library, but a venue for seeing art, a platform for research, a workshop and a material archive – and not least, a social meeting place wherein both children and adults can gather to read, relax, talk and learn together. ‘ 

Girjegumpi has been shaped through many years of collaboration between artists, duojars, researchers and craftsmen.  

The team has so far included: Andre Enger Aas, Håvard Arnhoff, Mark Bennett, Ken Are Bongo, Mathias Danbolt, maka design, Ole-Henrik Einejord, Astrid Fadnes, Jenni Hakovirta, Eirin Hammari, Elin Haugdal, Petri Henriksson, Tone Huse, Robert Julian Hvistendahl, Iver Jåks + Jon Ole Andersen, Anne Kare Kemi, Mary Ailonieida Sombán Mari, Grete Johanna Minde, Karen Inger Anne Nango, Nils John Nango, Ole Thomas Nilut, Raisa Porsanger, Tobias Aqutsiaq Prytz, Ánndaris Rimpi, Katrine Rugeldal, Arne Terje Sæther, Katarina Spik Skum, Četil Somby, Anders Sunna, Anna Stina Svakko, Eystein Talleraas, Petter Tjikkom, Magnus Antaris Tuolja. 

Those who have contributed their craft knowledge and technical skills to the construction of Girejgumpi in Tromsø are: 

Torbjørn Askevold, Einar Granås, Ida Syppli Skrumsager Hansen, Roland Haumann, Robert Julian Hvistendah, Tobias Aputsiaq Prytz, Arne Terje Sæther, Anders Sunna, Eystein Talleraas.