Arctic Nomads: An Academic Research Project in a Museum Space
Combining a traditional museum and exhibition space with the results of modern large-scale research projects within the framework of one exhibition is a modern and popular format allowing the museum to update its space and enabling the project to reach the stage of broad presentation of research results. This approach has been demonstrated by the exhibition Arctic Nomads: The Art of Movement , which was held between 14 March and 31 May 2019 in the St. Petersburg Kunstkamera. The exhibition was one of the results of the project “Mobility in the Arctic: ethnic traditions and technological innovations” (RNF no. 14-18-01882, A. V. Golovnev, 2014-2018), which involved studying the potential of northern nomadism and “nomadic design” in the modern practices of development of the Arctic. As a basis, the researchers took three models of Arctic nomadism-the Chukchi (Northern Chukotka), Nenets (Yamal) and Sami-Komi-Izhem (Kola Peninsula) ones, discussed in their similarity and situational (ethno-cultural, historical, local, etc.) variations. A set of technologies and scenarios, as a combined experience of mastering high latitudes, was projected onto the modern practices of movement and control over the space, including those by indigenous and non-indigenous northerners, and traditional and new activity spheres. The title of the exhibition reflects its main goal, i.e. to present the strategies and practices of traditional and modern northern nomadism in a clear and multidimensional way, answering the major question-“What does it mean to be a nomad?”