Čatnosat: Indigenous Art, Knowledge and Sovereignty

In 2022, Sámi artists present their art and worldview at the Venice Biennale for the first time, representing Sápmi (the Sámi homeland that spans Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula). The Sámi pavilion revolves around three key elements: transgenerational relations; holistic Sámi knowledge and learning; and Sámi spiritual perspectives. This slipcased spiralbound volume serves as a project in its own right, considering Sámi notions of nonlinear time and the centrality of storytelling and sound. Its three sections can be flipped around the spiral in any order, reflecting this nonlinear theme. The core of Catnosat features the pavilion’s artists, Pauliina Feodoroff, Máret Ánne Sara and Anders Sunna. The second section compiles a play, poems and stories expressing Sámi political and philosophical perspectives. A third section includes a dialogue with the artists; an essay highlighting Sámi knowledge creation across the ages; and a Sámi glossary. The Sámi people are the Indigenous people of the northern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula and large parts of the Kola Peninsula and live in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia. This thoughtfully produced volume is of interest to those interested in the culture and knowledge of Sámi people, as well as scholars/students of Indigenous philosophy, worldviews, and teachings. An exercise in Sámification, Čatnosat advocates for the importance today of Indigenous holistic perspectives, and Sámi Indigenous wisdom in all fields of art and living. With contributions by Brook Garru Andrew, Asta Mitkijá Balto, Liv Brissach, Pauliina Feodoroff, Liisa-Rávná Finbog, Katya García-Antón, Harald Gaski, Timimie Gassko Märak, Beaska Niillas, Máret Ánne Sara, Sigbjørn Skåden, Ánde Somby, and Anders Sunna Edited by Liisa-Rávná Finbog, Katya García-Antón, Beaska Niillas, assisted by Liv Brissach Designed by Hans Gremmen in dialogue with Inga-Wiktoria Pave and Fredrik Prost, who contribute with their expertise in Sámi duodji, design, illustration, symbols, stories, and more Published by Valiz/OCA, 2022 Multi-lingual, with text in English, Northern Sámi, Skolt Sámi, and Southern Sámi Slip-covered with spiral binding, 256 pages, 150 color and 30 b&w images, 6.75 × 9.5 inches ISBN: 978-9-49-324612-6