The aim of this year’s NoVA Symposium was to take a closer look at what the term “Nordic” might entail for visual studies and art education today. While Nordicity, Nordicness, and the so-called Nordic Model have been associated with equality, societal wellbeing, and social democracy, it is important to approach these characterizations with caution. After all, the Nordic countries have also long histories of exclusionary nationalisms, exploitation of natural resources (both locally and globally), and colonizing endeavors (both locally and globally). This doesn’t mean that art and education in Nordic countries are completely reducible to these contested and complex histories. Rather, the critical discussion concerning Nordicness during the symposium served as an invitation to constantly rethink what is it that we are doing here in the Nordic region and why.
The symposium week consisted of two interrelated parts: 1) three visiting lectures by Ane Hjort Guttu, Pigga Keskitalo, and Dahlia El Broul; and 2) three workshop sessions facilitated by NoVA students focusing on the topic of their choice. During the workshop sessions, we discussed learning environments, multisensory approach to education, and feminist pedagogy. Below, you’ll find brief reflections from the guest lectures presented during the week.