- Today’s Revolutions and 19th Century Literature is a temporary network of organisations within the arts in four Nordic countries.
Today’s Nordic societies are undergoing rapid technological, environmental and social changes. This short-term network aims to: (1) Explore how social change was portrayed in 19th-century Nordic literature and use these perspectives to understand our present. (2) To carry out collective, experimental exercises to understand how this knowledge could be used to create future performances. (3) Share the knowledge and insights gained in the working process with Nordic artists and cultural institutions.
The aim of the network is to understand the social, technological, political and ecological changes Nordic societies are experiencing today. We explore both how the arts are affected by them and how artistic practices can respond to these changes. Rather than starting anew the network will examine how 19th-century Nordic literature addressed the profound changes of its time. Realist novels and dramas emerged during rapid shifts in class structures and when women’s roles shifted quickly in society. These changes are reflected in works such as Minna Canth’s “Anna Liisa,” Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” and Strindberg’s “Miss Julie.” Today, we are experiencing similarly profound transformations, increasingly shaped by education, social competencies and technological skills.The network will explore what we can learn from 19th-century Nordic drama and literature and transform these insights into contemporary, critical and yet inspiring artistic performances in different genres.
The network centres on three meetings in Stockholm, Jyväskylä and Oslo, each lasting 2–4 days. Visual artists, musicians, choreographers, and theatre and literature professionals will work together, focusing on contemporary performance practices and how we can learn from and be inspired by 19th-century Nordic literature. The interdisciplinary work will be primarily practical, based on exercises, and interspersed with lectures and discussions.
Together the group investigates the following questions: What role does change play in our lives? How do changes in society affect our individual lives? What can we learn from historical changes today? How should the arts relate to societal changes? Can and should the arts prepare its audiences for future changes?
These questions are not expected to be answered. Instead the questions are like mantras to be considered and dwelled upon. (That is why we chose the title “revolutions,” we revolve around these questions collectively.) Reading key Nordic 19th century literary texts together gives us support and inspiration both for discussions, exercises and based on these reflections the participants will develop new work. The working process allows us to naturally and practically exchange knowledge and experiences.
Timeline 2027:
February – April: Individual studies – the participants in the project read texts and watch plays and lectures online.
April: Workshop at the Strindberg museum in Stockholm.
June: Workshop at Taidetila Hoppa in Jyväskylä.
September: Workshop and evaluation in Oslo.
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If you want to know more about the network or join its activities, just drop a line to Rudi on info [at] visionforum.eu
Photos by Till Bovermann, Fabien Guillermont and Per Huttner.