The Turbine Hall at Tate Modern is no stranger to unconventional installations, but Máret Ánne Sara's latest commission is set to leave visitors with a new, nose-related impression. 'Smell is a language', and Sara's work, titled 'Goavve', is a testament to this. The artist, an Indigenous Sámi, invites visitors to explore the intricate nasal passages of a reindeer, scaled up to human proportions. But this isn't just a whimsical display; it's a powerful statement on the resilience of nature and the impact of climate change on the Sámi community.
Sara's inspiration stems from the reindeer's remarkable ability to heat the air it inhales by 80 degrees Celsius in under a second, ensuring its survival in the harsh Arctic. By scaling this up, she creates a sense of vulnerability, highlighting the human struggle against nature's might. 'It creates a sense of inferiority that you as a human being are not dominant over nature,' she explains. This is particularly relevant for the Sámi, who have faced persecution and cultural suppression in their ancestral lands across Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Russia's Kola Peninsula.
The installation is part of a larger celebration of Sámi culture, science, and philosophy. It also draws attention to the community's challenges, including the climate crisis and land dispossession. The towering structure of reindeer hides on the entrance ramp symbolizes the political and economic constraints faced by the Sámi, with 'Goavve' referring to a weather phenomenon that threatens their reindeer's food source.
Sara's personal connection to these issues is evident. She recalls a childhood memory of her father's sudden change in demeanor and smell when confronted by authorities, which she now understands as a warning scent emitted by stressed reindeer. This led her to explore the language of smell, and she collaborated with an Algerian perfumer to capture and diffuse the scent of fear around the installation, creating a powerful visceral reaction.
The use of reindeer parts in the artwork is not just a nod to Sámi traditions but also a reminder of the community's philosophy of interdependence. 'Duodji', often translated as 'craft', embodies a way of life where nothing goes to waste. The scent of reindeer milk and natural sweetgrass at the entrance is intended to evoke hope, contrasting the fear-inducing scent of the reindeer's nasal passages.
Sara's message is not about pitting Western science against Indigenous knowledge but about the interconnectedness of all life. 'Looking at smell as a language, my memory started to make sense,' she says. 'As a child in that moment, I was given so much information by my father's presence, but wasn't able to receive it.' Her work invites visitors to reflect on the importance of ecological justice and the role of Indigenous knowledge in shaping our future.
