Katarina Skår Lisa
Photo by: Katarina Skår Lisa
I wish to dedicate most of my recommendations to the art of listening. To listen, is a quality I highlight as a person and as an artist. I find that the interrelated connection between sound and listening often inspires my relations, senses, and perceptions. Here in Svalbard, to take a simple walk to the seashore, to the ocean and to the river, has been a priority for me to be able to listen, both internally and externally.
For music compositions I would like to mention the two new singles from the south Sámi artist Marja Mortensson that is composed in collaboration with KORK, Daniel Herskedal and Jakop Janssønn. The singles are called Kruanavaaja- The Green Valley and Johtlelohke- The Migratory Rout. They are masterpieces to listen to and that I got to know during our stay at Artica Svalbard. I also recommend the new album Almmiravddas by the Sámi composer Johan Sara Jr. which I have been listening to whilst travelling through air and land to come to Svalbard, and to several other destinations in northern Norway this summer. I think both Mortensson and Sara Jr. are managing to nurture, convey and to take care of the Sami cultural language through their music, sound and the yoik, which is so important.
Another great sound artist that has influenced and inspired me during our stay at Artica is Jana Winderen. On Bandcamp.com it is possible to listen to more of her works such as Evaporation.
Staying with the theme of listening, I would like to recommend two podcasts - On being with Krisha Tippett and For the Wild, which both shed light on what it means to be a human today in ecological, spiritual and cultural dimensions. I am also listening to the Norwegian NRK podcast Tett På, that focuses on giving insights to Sámi relevant topics.
I’m currently reading the book Sovereign Words. Indigenous Art, Curation and Criticism published by Office for Contemporary Art in Norway / Valiz in 2018. I'm not so far into the book yet, but I look forward to diving into its world of great voices soon.
When it comes to food, I must mention something that Ramona and I have eaten quite a lot here in Longyearbyen - Ramen noodle soup, from Nuga sushi. I can only speak for myself, but I think this restaurant has been a nurturing food place for us during our stay. They also have delicious matcha ice cream. Otherwise, I always recommend homemade broth, that has been cooked slowly.
Marja Mortensson in collaboration with KORK, Daniel Herskedal and Jakob Janssønn: Kruanavaaja- The Green Valley and Johtlelohke- The Migratory Rout. (2021)
Johan Sara Jr., Almmiravddas (2021)
Jana Winderen, Evaporation (2014)
Krisha Tippett, On being podcast
NRK Radio podcast, Tett På
Sovereign Words. Indigenous Art, Curation and Criticism published by Office for Contemporary Art in Norway / Valiz (2018)
Ramen noodle soup, from Nuga sushi. (or where ever you find your favourite..)
Katarina Skår Lisa has been nominated for a residency at Artica by our key partner the Office for Contemporary Art Norway (OCA) alongside her collaborative partner Ramona Salo Myrseth. You can read more about the duo here.