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Joar Nango (Sami, Norway) Import/Export Homeland
The same rope that hung you will pull you up in the end

Joar Nango’s work ”The Same Rope That Hung You Will Pull You Up in the End” is made from Bealljit (bent birch trunks), copper ring, and rope made of reindeer skin from his homeland. Birch is a pioneering tree on earth whose roots are so down-reaching that they can bring nutrition from deep soils and offer it to other beings. Many indigenous people consider the forest their true ancestors; the bent birch in Joar Nango's work seems to process the innate energy willing to pull up life again from abyssal darkness.

Philosophically, the concept of Day 0 is likened to Indigenous peoples' deep connection to the cycles of nature and their profound understanding that every significant event or change is preceded by a period of preparation and foresight.

Nango’s second work, “My Father’s Life Vest,” is gentle beyond words. The life vest, a vital survival instrument, symbolizes the delicate balance between life and death. Through this piece, Nango illustrates a humble approach to navigating the uncertainties and precariousness of life's vast ocean, offering a profound sense of strength and belief.

Nango's work reflects a heartfelt connection to his heritage and practical wisdom passed down through generations. The life vest represents more than just physical safety; it embodies the protective embrace of familial love and the enduring resilience required to face life's challenges. In this gentle yet powerful portrayal, Nango invites viewers to contemplate the subtle ways we find courage and faith amidst the unpredictable currents of existence.

Day 0, at the beginning of this exhibition, offers a “bardo” zone (in-between in Tibetan). It refers to the intermediate state of existence after death and before the beginning of the next life. The same rope that hung you will pull you up in the end—a promise: there is a new beginning to choose again at every end.

The same rope that hung you will pull you up in the end, 2020, Joar Nango, Bealljit (bent birch trunks), copper ring, rope made of reindeer skin, and plastic fibers from a firewood sack, 360 x 130 x 25 cm, Foto: Vegard Kleven
My father’s lifevest, Joar Nango, 2014, digital photography