Maaretta Jaukkuri Foundation presents the seminar Tacit Knowledge, hosted in collaboration with Lofoten International Art Festival LIAF 2022 at Arbeider’n, Kabelvåg, September 4, 2022 from 10 am - 4 pm.

With Alexander Eriksson Furunes, Markus Kåhre, Pia Lindman, Joar Nango, Laura Johanne Olsen, Matt Packer, Francesco Urbano Ragazzi and Kjersti Solbakken

Tacit Knowledge is MJFs second public seminar in a prospective series of public events that will be organized along with the Fellows programme. This year the seminar takes place during the opening weekend of LIAF 2022, all in the town of Kabelvåg.

The term tacit knowledge was launched by the British-Hungarian scientist, and later philosopher, Michael Polanyi (1891-1976) in his book “Personal Knowledge” from 1958. The common definition of tacit knowledge is that it is about traditions, inherited practices, implied values, skills, ideas, prejudgements, and experiences which cannot be expressed in words. It is intuitive and unarticulated knowledge that cannot be communicated, understood or used without a 'knowing subject'. Unlike the transfer of explicit knowledge, the transfer of tacit knowledge requires close interaction, shared understanding and trust. It prompts new thinking with regards to collecting, storing, sharing and documenting.

Tacit knowledge can be transferred through practice, connected with traditional forms of learning, based in shared work situations through actual working processes. This is the way tradition and personal knowledge can be shared. Lofoten is the backdrop for our seminar, and it is a place where tacit knowledge is important in supplementing explicit knowledge when it comes to creating, maintaining and growing opportunities for learning, cohabitation, work and survival. It is a place that prides itself on this kind of knowledge and the long traditions it has. At the same time, many young people have left to study, travel and work outside of the islands, only to return in recognition of possibilities to start unique and forward-thinking projects in a region that has gotten a lot of attention internationally in recent years. They refer to tacit knowledge as a strength, and are inspired to draw on this kind of knowledge to try to think out new strategies or working within culture, education, scientific research and preservation.

The social nature of knowing depends on the existence of social structures, each grounded in a particular tradition or set of traditions. In the very specific moment we are living through, there has been a natural focus on the tangible, immediate and intimate, to interhuman relations and connections.In the arts, as a professional field, tacit knowledge is crucial both in teaching art, making, as well as communicating with art. The spectator should have belief in art to take the leap of trust to use one’s imagination. Understanding the specific role of tacit knowledge can thus make it easier to communicate with contemporary art.

Acknowledging the importance of tacit knowledge this can increasingly democratize the sources we draw on to define the current moment and write history. As such, it is valuable to consider how this kind of knowledge within a community can be a carrier of history and tradition, whilst providing the tools to better face the future."

September 04, 2022 —At Arbeider’n, Kabelvåg

Seminar hosted in collaboration with Lofoten International Art Festival LIAF 2022
with Alexander Eriksson Furunes, Markus Kåhre, Pia Lindman, Joar Nango, Laura Johanne Olsen, Matt Packer, Francesco Urbano Ragazzi and Kjersti Solbakken

We all carry with us a story, a fundamental narrative; where we come from, where we’ve been and what we have done; the defining moments of our lives. Sharing these events is the act of storytelling, the process of structuring a narrative. As narrative is also discourse, it references the premise of the story as well as the account itself. A story can find many expressions, it can be yelled, whispered, sputtered, shouted, argued or demonstrated - it can be told through voice, moving images, objects, written word or a song just to mention some. It is always time-based, but time can be understood and represented in countless ways.

MJFs starting point is art, from here we address other fields of thinking. Similarly we want to approach the subject of narration and storytelling from several angles, seen through art, film, social research, literature, philosophy, politics and local history. We would like to combine a theoretical perspective with the personal, artistic and performative. This subject feels urgent and important in a media- and debate reality full of confusing facts with real political consequences. The seminar will contextualise this with people’s drive to share their stories, in the form of art, music and film but also through oral storytelling as a means to preserve and pass on local and family history, and as a way to understand each other across cultural divides.

With generous support by Fritt Ord, Arts Council Norway, Vestvågøy Kommune, Saastamoinen Foundation and KONE Foundation

Septemper 01, 2019 — Arbeider'n, Kabelvåg
Septemper 02, 2019 — MJF's building, Kvalnes

Moderated by Marit Adeleide Andreassen 
with Fadlabi, Matti Hyvärinen, Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen, Marianne Ulrichsen, Hilde Østby



Members of the Maaretta Jaukkuri Foundation’s Board, Thora Dolven Balke, Katya García-Antón, Gediminas Urbonas, Mari Jaukkuri, Francis McKee, Yoshiaki Nishino, Hilde Methi and Cecilia Jaukkuri, along with curator and professor Maaretta Jaukkuri, artist A K Dolven and Director Audhild Dahlstrøm, met in Kvalnes to initiate the Foundation’s mission and agenda.

Besides the Board’s main organisational duties, questions such as: “How can we expand our awareness and knowledge of the time we live in? How can we further strengthen art’s freedom to communicate honestly, aesthetically and ethically in this new and complex era?” were discussed in relation to the future of the Foundation’s remit.

The Board discussed MJF’s role and how MJF can play a part in providing space that gives freedom to think, to have a moment of calm in a place independent of commercial or political-institutional influence. It is repeated daily that we live in turbulent times and we also feel it. The challenge of facing the multi-layered problems of our time is something we all share. The future seems more uncertain now than it has in a long time, and questions about climate change, democracy, terrorism, capitalism and growing economic inequalities are discourses that are prevalent. The urgency of many of these issues is reflected in the place that surrounds MJF, a fragile landscape at the centre of discussions on energy and resource politics and climate protection. How we express these concerns and communicate them are vital issues in our time.

February 12–15, 2016
MJF’s Board meet in Kvalnes Lofoten

Tacit Knowledge

Tacit Knowledge

Stories Told And Re-Told

Stories Told And Re-Told

Board Meeting

Board Meeting