Verdde is a nomadic art institution working towards making visible a variety of Sami practitioners and perspectives, in public contexts. Our name is a Northern Sami word which can be translated into “guest-friend”.
Verdde is organised around collaborations, utilising site-specific methods and activities to promote dialogue and meetings. We strive towards an expanded understanding and knowledge about Sami history, contemporary conditions and practitioners. Verdde aims to contribute to the further inclusion of the indigenous Sámi people as a natural part of the contemporary art scene and everyday life, within and outside of Sápmi.
Verdde does not have a base of its own, but instead moves into the spaces of other organisations and become part of their public programme, as well as their ongoing structural operations. In collaboration with established organisations which lack, or want to develop, their own Sami competences, Verdde involves, activates and affects both visitors and institutional frameworks. Each collaboration is customised according to the partner’s organisation, 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. The involved Sami artists work on site, regardless of if the collaboration concerns an archive, an urban space or an exhibition hall. The site specific artistic labour is considered equally important to the public’s meeting with the artwork.
Verdde becomes a guest-friend who contributes both knowledge and experience through artistic expressions anchored in each collaborating partners working methods and audiences. We strive to establish more positive conversations, understanding and exchanges across kitchen tables as well as workplace breakrooms and the offices of lawmakers. Vi believe in sharing our experiences, and you are welcome to read more about our activities, artist collaborators and collaborative formats here on our website.
Verdde is intentionally multilingual, with translations to English or other languages occurring only in relation to selected activities and conversations. In these cases, you will clearly see them marked here on our website with titles in that language. You are however welcome to translate any texts for your own use with the help of digital tools, or contact us regarding specific inquiries.
