Episode 3: Skaftfell Art Center - The Tensions of Environmental and Cultural Sustainability for Artists and Institutions

Testing Grounds

How can arts institutions and artists be more sustainable – in terms of their impact not only on the environment, but also on local communities?
Skaftfell Art Center is NAARCA’s Icelandic partner. It’s based in Seyðisfjörður, a small but vibrant town in Eastern Iceland, surrounded by mountains and sea. Seyðisfjörður’s unique location and atmosphere has long attracted artists from all over the world. That location also makes it vulnerable to avalanches, mudslides and landslides – and in a changing climate, those threats are increasing.
Julia Martin is an artist living in Seyðisfjörður, and the former Project Manager of the Residency Programme and International Projects at Skaftfell. She introduces us to Seyðisfjörður, and to our two contributors: Pari Stave, Director of Skaftfell, and Jessica Auer, a photographer, filmmaker and educator living in Seyðisfjörður. Pari and Jessica explore some of the ways arts institutions and artists can be more mindful of the environment, and of local landscapes and communities.
Find out more:
Skaftfell Art Center: skaftfell.is/en
Ströndin Studio: strondinstudio.com
Jan Krtička (artist who provided field recordings from in and around Seyðisfjörður): jankrticka.com
Contributors:
Julia Martin, artist and landscape architect / former Project Manager, Residency Programme and International Projects, Skaftfell Art Center (juliamartin.de)
Pari Stave, art historian and curator / Director, Skaftfell Art Center (skaftfell.is/en/skaftfell/about-skaftfell/staff/)
Jessica Auer, photographer, filmmaker and educator (jessicaauer.com)

Credits: Testing Grounds is produced and edited by Katie Revell and includes original music by Loris S. Sarid and artwork by Jagoda Sadowska. With thanks to Alex Marrs and the rest of the NAARCA team.
Contact us: naarca.art/contact-us
Who we are: Art Hub Copenhagen (Denmark), Artica Svalbard (Norway), Baltic Art Center (Sweden), Cove Park (Scotland), Saari Residence (Finland), Skaftfell Art Center (Iceland) and Narsaq International Research Station (Greenland).
Thanks for listening!