Three different backgrounds form an ensemble

Avant Joik is a pan-Sámi and Nordic ensemble that creates an expressive and intuitive fusion of vuöllie [joik], avant-garde vocal expression, electronic music and visual experiments. Their multisensory and improvisational working method is shaped by the different backgrounds of the three members.

Katarina Barruk, who grew up in Lusspie [Storuman] and Gajhrege [Gardfjäll] and now lives in Oslo, combines vuöllie with contemporary pop and gives new life to the critically endangered Ume Sami language through music.

Composer Maja Solveig Kjelstrup Ratkje from Trondheim uses the voice as an instrument in her artistic work. Her work ranges from avant-garde vocal techniques to compositions for orchestra, opera and political sound art.

Matti Aikio, artist and activist from Finnish Sábmie, works with installation, video and performance. His art revolves around indigenous peoples’ relationship to nature, land rights and the ecological consequences of colonialism.

This performance was commissioned by Bildmuseet and Gaaltije Saemien Museume as part of the year-long and multi-site-based project Art and Truth-Telling, which draws attention to the work of the Truth Commission for the Sámi people on the Swedish side of Sápmi. In collaboration with Arctic Art Summit and Norrlandsoperan.

In English

Avant Joik is a pan-Sámi and Nordic ensemble that creates an expressive and intuitive fusion of vuöllie [joik], avant-garde vocal expression, electronic music, and visual experiments. Their multi-sensory and improvisational working method is shaped by the three members’ diverse backgrounds.

Katarina Barruk, raised in Lusspie [Storuman] and Gajhrege [Gardfjäll] and now based in Oslo, combines vuöllie with contemporary pop and breathes new life into the critically endangered Ume Sámi language through music.

Composer Maja Solveig Kjelstrup Ratkje from Tråante [Trondheim] uses the voice as an instrument in her practice. Her work ranges from avant-garde vocal techniques to compositions for orchestra, opera and political sound art.

Matti Aikio, an artist and activist from the Finnish Sápmi, works with installation and video. His art revolves around indigenous peoples’ relationship to nature, land rights and the ecological consequences of colonialism.

This performance was commissioned by Bildmuseet and Gaaltije Saemien Museume as part of the Art and Truth-Telling year-long and multi-sited project marking the process of the Truth Commission for the Sámi people on the Swedish side of Sábmie. In collaboration with the Arctic Art Summit and Norrlandsoperan.