“Schizophrenic relationship with nature” – Guest Lecture by Matti Aikio, 12.2.

Guest Lecturer: Matti Aikio, Date: 12.2.2024, Time: 16.30 – 18.00 EET, K-350, Mylly – Academy of Fine Arts. The lecture will also be held online. Zoom Link: https://uniarts.zoom.us/j/65345338861

This session focuses on the artistic practice of Matti Aikio, whose work explores the counterpositions of Western modernity vis-à-vis Sámi’s worldview and relationship with time and nature. Employing a conversational approach that intertwines films and sound, Aikio and curator Giovanna Esposito Yussif will delve into the ongoing conflicts fueled by the extractive practices of Nordic nation states in Sápmi—addressing issues such as the exploitation of natural resources, green colonialism, and the impact of the tourism industry. The discussion aims to shed light on the resultant effects on the Sámi people, emphasising the significance of self-determination for indigenous communities and their interconnectedness with the ecosystems they inhabit.

Bio

Matti Aikio is a Sámi visual artist and activist rooted in Finnish Sápmi. His work intricately explores the aftermath of colonial contact zones between Danish-Norwegian, Swedish, and Norwegian settlers and the Sámi people. Drawing from his background in Sámi reindeer herding culture, Aikio delves into pressing issues exploring the history of land rights, skillfully blending moving images, sound, text and still imagery in his installations. Aikio’s art becomes a powerful lens, illuminating the complexities of Sámi heritage and global indigenous challenges, inviting viewers into a world where culture, history, and activism intersect. His work has been presented in multiple venues including Helsinki Biennial, Botkyrka Konsthall, Cairo Off Biennale and the National Museum of Finland. In 2022, he was named a Fellow at the TBA-21 Ocean Space, Venice, Italy and in 2023 a Fellow at Vera List Center for Art and Politics, New York, USA.