ASAD network’s annual Relate North symposium held at Umeå University
The Thematic Network on Arctic Sustainable Arts and Design (ASAD) held its annual Relate North symposium at Umeå University on November 13-17. The theme of this year's symposium was Beyond Borders.
The symposium attracted leading researchers, artists, and art educators from around the circumpolar North to present their research and practical projects and to discuss issues and opportunities in Arctic and subarctic regions from the perspectives of art, design, and art and design education. The symposium gathered participants from the USA, Canada, Greenland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Scotland.
The event offered interesting presentations and discussions, produced exhibitions, music and performances, workshops and an art museum visit shedding light on contemporary art of the North.
The event brings interesting insights from our field into collective examination each year, serving as an important forum for peer feedback and collaborative development, notes the network's founder and longtime leader, Professor Timo Jokela, UArctic Chair Arctic Art, Design and Culture.
The event was arranged in collaboration between ASAD Thematic Network, Department of Creative Studies and UmArts, Umeå University and Faculty of Art and Design, University of Lapland.
The 'Beyond Borders' symposium is a chance to hold a dialogue across national borders about art, education, sustainability, and our specific conditions here in the north. It opens new paths for collaboration across different fields and cultures. I am deeply grateful to all artists, researchers, teachers, and participants who have traveled here from all corners of the world and contributed, says Sara Rylander, part of the organizing team.
For more information, visit the ADAD network website.