Girjegumpi: The Sámi Architecture Library is a nomadic, collaborative library put together over the last fifteen years by architect and artist Joar Nango. It is an archive comprising an expanding collection of more than 500 books embracing topics such as Sámi architecture and design, traditional and ancestral building knowledge, activism, and decoloniality. This archive also includes artworks, films, tools, reused materials, and more.
In 2023 Nango, alongside a team of collaborators, unfolds this structure, social space, and source of knowledge around architecture in Sápmi at the Nordic Countries Pavilion at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia.
View of Girjegumpi: The Sámi Architecture Library by Joar Nango and collaborators at the Nordic Countries Pavilion (18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia). Photo: Laurian Ghinițoiu (2023). CC BY-SA 4.0.
As an itinerant, collective library, the project has evolved and expanded with site-specific adaptations as it has travelled to different locations in Sápmi and the broader Nordic region. This journey involves multiple collaborations, including artists and craftspeople including Katarina Spik Skum, Anders Sunna, Ken Are Bongo, and Anders Rimpi, among others. As a gathering space, it hosts large groups of people. As a reading room, it offers an environment for solitary study and reflection. As a critical project, it builds spaces for Indigenous imagination.
View of Girjegumpi: The Sámi Architecture Library by Joar Nango and collaborators at the Nordic Countries Pavilion (18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia). Photo: Laurian Ghinițoiu (2023). CC BY-SA 4.0.
Nomadic by design, Girjegumpi is a living project addressing the relevance of Indigenous culture in architectural discourse and construction today: the importance of collaborative work, building techniques and use of resources in rapidly changing climate conditions, the use of locally grounded material flow and sensitive approaches to landscapes and nature. It highlights the architect’s position towards a more polyphonic understanding of the world.
View of Girjegumpi: The Sámi Architecture Library by Joar Nango and collaborators at the Nordic Countries Pavilion (18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia). Photo: Laurian Ghinițoiu (2023). CC BY-SA 4.0.Collaborators and guests of Girjegumpi: The Sámi Architecture Library at the Nordic Countries Pavilion (18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia). Photo: Laurian Ghinițoiu (2023). CC BY-SA 4.0.
Joar Nango Girjegumpi: The Sámi Architecture Library Nordic Countries Pavilion, 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
Girjegumpi collaborators include Håvard Arnhoff, Ken Are Bongo, Petter Bratland, Stefano Crosera + Margherita Pasqualato (Cantiere Daniele Manin), Mathias Danbolt, 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, Annik Kristiansen Hagen, maka design, Grete Johanna Minde, Karen Inger Anne Nango, Nils John Nango, Anne Henriette Nilut, Ole Thomas Nilut, Raisa Porsanger, Tobias Aputsiaq Prytz, Anders Rimpi, Katrine Rugeldal, Wimme Saari, Sámi Architecture Dictionary Group, Arne-Terje Sæther, Katarina Spik Skum, Mary Ailonieida Sombán Mari, Četil Somby, Anders Sunna, Anna-Stina Svakko, Eystein Talleraas, Petter Tjikkom, Magnus Antaris Tuolja
Collaborating institutions include Ájtte, Arctic Arts Festival – Festspillene i Nord-Norge, Sámi Dáiddaguovddáš (SDG), RDM – Sámiid Vuorká-Dávvirat, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway
Girjegumpi is a project first initiated in 2018 by Joar Nango and Festspillene i Nord-Norge. When not travelling, Girjegumpi is hosted by Sámi Dáiddaguovddáš (SDG) in Kárášjohka.The Nordic Countries Pavilion officially represents Finland, Norway and Sweden through ArkDes, the National Museum of Norway, and the Museum of Finnish Architecture.
Commissioners Kieran Long, ArkDes; Carina Jaatinen, The Museum of Finnish Architecture; Stina Høgkvist, The National Museum of Norway Curators Carlos Mínguez Carrasco and James Taylor-Foster (ArkDes) Project Manager Luba Kuzovnikova (ArkDes) Production Support in Venice M+B Studio; eiletz ortigas | architects Team at ArkDes Johanna Fogel, Stefan Mossfeldt, Elisabet Norin, Emma Weinerhall, Maria Östman Hosts/Librarians Pia Karttunen, Laura Lucchini
May 20 — November 26, 2023 Nordic Countries Pavilion, Giardini della Biennale, Venice
Girjegumpi: The Sámi Architecture Library is a nomadic, collaborative library put together over the last fifteen years by architect and artist Joar Nango. It is an archive comprising an expanding collection of more than 500 books embracing topics such as Sámi architecture and design, traditional and ancestral building knowledge, activism, and decoloniality. This archive also includes artworks, films, tools, reused materials, and more.
In 2023 Nango, alongside a team of collaborators, unfolds this structure, social space, and source of knowledge around architecture in Sápmi at the Nordic Countries Pavilion at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia.
View of Girjegumpi: The Sámi Architecture Library by Joar Nango and collaborators at the Nordic Countries Pavilion (18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia). Photo: Laurian Ghinițoiu (2023). CC BY-SA 4.0.
As an itinerant, collective library, the project has evolved and expanded with site-specific adaptations as it has travelled to different locations in Sápmi and the broader Nordic region. This journey involves multiple collaborations, including artists and craftspeople including Katarina Spik Skum, Anders Sunna, Ken Are Bongo, and Anders Rimpi, among others. As a gathering space, it hosts large groups of people. As a reading room, it offers an environment for solitary study and reflection. As a critical project, it builds spaces for Indigenous imagination.
View of Girjegumpi: The Sámi Architecture Library by Joar Nango and collaborators at the Nordic Countries Pavilion (18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia). Photo: Laurian Ghinițoiu (2023). CC BY-SA 4.0.
Nomadic by design, Girjegumpi is a living project addressing the relevance of Indigenous culture in architectural discourse and construction today: the importance of collaborative work, building techniques and use of resources in rapidly changing climate conditions, the use of locally grounded material flow and sensitive approaches to landscapes and nature. It highlights the architect’s position towards a more polyphonic understanding of the world.
View of Girjegumpi: The Sámi Architecture Library by Joar Nango and collaborators at the Nordic Countries Pavilion (18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia). Photo: Laurian Ghinițoiu (2023). CC BY-SA 4.0.Collaborators and guests of Girjegumpi: The Sámi Architecture Library at the Nordic Countries Pavilion (18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia). Photo: Laurian Ghinițoiu (2023). CC BY-SA 4.0.
Joar Nango Girjegumpi: The Sámi Architecture Library Nordic Countries Pavilion, 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
Girjegumpi collaborators include Håvard Arnhoff, Ken Are Bongo, Petter Bratland, Stefano Crosera + Margherita Pasqualato (Cantiere Daniele Manin), Mathias Danbolt, 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, Annik Kristiansen Hagen, maka design, Grete Johanna Minde, Karen Inger Anne Nango, Nils John Nango, Anne Henriette Nilut, Ole Thomas Nilut, Raisa Porsanger, Tobias Aputsiaq Prytz, Anders Rimpi, Katrine Rugeldal, Wimme Saari, Sámi Architecture Dictionary Group, Arne-Terje Sæther, Katarina Spik Skum, Mary Ailonieida Sombán Mari, Četil Somby, Anders Sunna, Anna-Stina Svakko, Eystein Talleraas, Petter Tjikkom, Magnus Antaris Tuolja
Collaborating institutions include Ájtte, Arctic Arts Festival – Festspillene i Nord-Norge, Sámi Dáiddaguovddáš (SDG), RDM – Sámiid Vuorká-Dávvirat, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway
Girjegumpi is a project first initiated in 2018 by Joar Nango and Festspillene i Nord-Norge. When not travelling, Girjegumpi is hosted by Sámi Dáiddaguovddáš (SDG) in Kárášjohka.The Nordic Countries Pavilion officially represents Finland, Norway and Sweden through ArkDes, the National Museum of Norway, and the Museum of Finnish Architecture.
Commissioners Kieran Long, ArkDes; Carina Jaatinen, The Museum of Finnish Architecture; Stina Høgkvist, The National Museum of Norway Curators Carlos Mínguez Carrasco and James Taylor-Foster (ArkDes) Project Manager Luba Kuzovnikova (ArkDes) Production Support in Venice M+B Studio; eiletz ortigas | architects Team at ArkDes Johanna Fogel, Stefan Mossfeldt, Elisabet Norin, Emma Weinerhall, Maria Östman Hosts/Librarians Pia Karttunen, Laura Lucchini
May 20 — November 26, 2023 Nordic Countries Pavilion, Giardini della Biennale, Venice
