The A-block may be considered a landmark building in the new Government Quarter, with the Pyramid Room as a central indoor space.

The plan is for the proposal by Sámi-Finnish artist Outi Pieski, AAhkA, to be completed and integrated into the entire surface of the slanted wall in the room, which has an area of over 700 m2, and a height of 51 metres. This will be based on the composition of the architecture’s rib wall. This monumental wooden surface will be an assemblage of colours, materials and traditional handicrafts. Pieski’s sketch shows a half-profile figure wearing a ládjogahpir, or “The Foremothers’ Hat of Pride”, on its head and brass rings on its fingers. The figure holds a staff bearing Northern Sámi patterns and traditional Southern Sámi wood carvings and designs. Both the hat, rings and staff are associated with duodji.

AAhkA, based on Sámi beliefs and philosophy, refers to Mother Earth as a legal entity. The sacred mountains of Sápmi often bear the same name.  Aahka in Southern Sámi and Áhkku in Northern Sámi are both translated as “grandmother”, “older woman”, and “protector of the earth”.

A more detailed description of the artwork will be available in the form of both texts and images once the art project is completed. The images are so far based on sketches.

Outi Pieski (born in 1973 in Helsinki) lives and works in Ohcejohka (Utsjoki) on the Finnish side of Sápmi (Sámi territory). Pieski has presented numerous international exhibitions, as well as installations in public buildings, including the Sámi Parliament in Karasjok, Norway and the Sámi Parliament in Inari, Finland. Her work includes installations and paintings, often combined with duodji, with a focus on themes that revolve around the nature and culture of the Arctic region.

KORO was responsible for the art project for the Sámi Parliament annex in 2015. Learn more about Pieski’s artwork in Karasjok here (Norwegian text only). Learn more about the building project for the new Government Quarter on Statsbygg’s (the Norwegian Directorate of Public Construction and Property) website. There is a description of the general work on the art project on KORO’s project page for the new Government Quarter. Here you can also learn more about the strategy and plan for the artwork (Norwegian text only).