DOCSLIB.ORG

“Art Is in Our Heart”

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
“Art Is in Our Heart” “ART IS IN OUR HEART”: TRANSNATIONAL COMPLEXITIES OF ART PROJECTS AND NEOLIBERAL GOVERNMENTALITY _____________________________________________ A Dissertation Submitted to the Temple University Graduate Board _____________________________________________ in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy _____________________________________________ By G.I Tinna Grétarsdóttir January, 2010 Examining Committee Members: Dr. Jay Ruby, Advisory Chair, Anthropology Dr. Raquel Romberg, Anthropology Dr. Paul Garrett, Anthropology Dr. Roderick Coover, External Member, Film and Media Arts, Temple University. i © Copyright 2010 by G.I Tinna Grétarsdóttir All Rights Reserved ii ABSTRACT “ART IS IN OUR HEART”: TRANSNATIONAL COMPLEXITIES OF ART PROJECTS AND NEOLIBERAL GOVERNMENTALITY By G.I Tinna Grétarsdóttir Doctor of Philosophy Temple University, January 2010 Doctoral Advisory Committee Chair: Dr. Jay Ruby In this dissertation I argue that art projects are sites of interconnected social spaces where the work of transnational practices, neoliberal politics and identity construction take place. At the same time, art projects are “nodal points” that provide entry and linkages between communities across the Atlantic. In this study, based on multi-sited ethnographic fieldwork in Canada and Iceland, I explore this argument by examining ethnic networking between Icelandic-Canadians and the Icelandic state, which adopted neoliberal economic policies between 1991 and 2008. The neoliberal restructuring in Iceland was manifested in the implementation of programs of privatization and deregulation. The tidal wave of free trade, market rationality and expansions across national borders required re-imagined, nationalized accounts of Icelandic identity and society and reconfigurations of the margins of the Icelandic state. Through programs and a range of technologies, discourses, and practices, the Icelandic state worked to create enterprising, empowered, and creative subjects appropriate to the neoliberal project. At the same time these processes and practices served as tools for reawakening and revitalizing ethnic networking on a iii transnational scale. As enactments of programs initiated by the Icelandic state, the art projects studied here are approached in relation to neoliberal governmentality in a transnational context in order to explore how the operations of states and the new global economy are translated into local cultural practices, such as visual displays. This is a study of cultural circuits and transnational networking where art projects are the formative “nodes”–local sites of cultural production, neoliberal politics, multiple threads of truth claims in battles of cultural politics, identity formation, and conflicted notions of the value of art and the idea of creativity. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I want to acknowledge the vital support of my mother, Ragnheiður Guðnadóttir and my stepfather Hlynur Ingimarsson. They have been instrumental in keeping me afloat throughout the years that I have undertaken this study. I also want to thank Dr. Birna Bjarnadóttir, Chair of the Icelandic department at the University of Manitoba, for making it possible to stay legally in Canada and for being an inspiration at countless meetings, formal and informal. Dr. Jay Ruby, professor emeritus, gave me the suggestion to think about Icelandic-Canadians and their relationship to Icelandic authorities and has been extremely supportive during my studies. Dr. Jayasinhi Jhala, professor at Temple, has been an inspiring friend and supporter during my studies. Dr. Denise O’Brien, professor at Temple, was another friend who passed away much too soon. I want to thank them for their guidance and support. Dr. Raquel Romberg, assistant professor (teaching) and adjunct graduate faculty member at Temple University, has been very helpful and inspiring during this process. Raquel’s interest, shared knowledge and encouragement throughout the years have been of great value. I would also like to thank Dr. Paul B. Garrett, associate professor in Anthropology, Temple University, and Roderick Coover, associate professor of Film and Media arts, Temple University, for their interest in my work and for joining my committee. Professor Gísli Pálsson, at the department of Anthropology, University of Iceland, has been a support and inspiration throughout my studies at the University of Iceland and Temple University. Dr. Arnar Árnason, associate professor in Anthropology at the University of Aberdeen, is a (theoretical) partner in crime when it comes to this project but my work v with him in Iceland has convinced me of the importance of framing cultural practice within a political economic perspective. Throughout the project he has made comments and suggestions that have been extremely helpful in thinking this through. This study would not have been possible without the people in Canada and Iceland that allowed me into their lives and agreed to meet me and share information. The list of people is too large to mention but I want to thank the people in the Icelandic community in Manitoba, Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia for their hospitality, friendship and support. The dissertation has also benefitted from my many conversations with Icelandic artists who are too numerous to name here. In particular, I want to thank Sigrid Johnson at the Icelandic Collection at the University of Manitoba for her interest in my work. Discussions with Icelandic-Canadians Ryan Eyford and Laurie Bertham, also pursuing research on the Icelandic community, were inspiring and thought provoking. I am also grateful to Karen Jantzi who corrected my English text with patience and insight. This dissertation also benefitted from Stas Shectman and Jay Gabriel who read individual chapters. I began this journey alone but along the way I partnered with Sigurjón B. Hafsteinsson, also an anthropologist, and “adopted” his two amazing girls, Snjólaug and Hildur Erna, who were also a source of inspiration and new stimuli during this journey. I gave birth to our two wonderful daughters during my studies, Ragnheiður Kolka, who was born in 2003, and Æsa Margrét, born in 2007. They have added a deeper understanding of what continuity, tradition and change mean under transnational conditions but this journey took place in three different countries, the US, Canada and Iceland–away from the larger family network. My partner, Sigurjón, who has been at my vi side throughout this journey, has been an endless resource for my work. Sigurjón opened new experiences and ways of thinking not just within the field of anthropology but in life. His engagement is reflected in every chapter of this dissertation. The research and thesis work was made possible through financial support from Fulbright, Temple University, and The Icelandic Center for Research (Rannís) for which I am most grateful. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT................................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................v LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................x Chapters 1. INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………..1 Visual Anthropology and Anthropology of Transnationalism: Combining Fields, Expanding and Exploring New Avenues Within Both Traditions……. 6 Situate the Field: Mapping Out the Icelandic Canadian Community……….. 12 “Waking the Giant”: The Scope of the Transnational Project.........................26 “What is your Agenda Girl?” – Research Methods and Stories of Access .....40 “Western Icelander? – NOT ME” or “The Importance of Being Icelandic”...51 Conclusion .......................................................................................................61 2. TRANSNATIONAL COMPLEXITIES OF ART PROJECTS: NETWORK- ING AND NEOLIBERAL GOVERNMENTALITY .....................................65 Transnationalism and Communities ................................................................69 Globalization and Governmentality.................................................................82 “Hacking Away the Hyphen Between the Nation and the State”....................90 The Anthropology of Art .................................................................................95 Conclusion .......................................................................................................99 3. STRETCHING THE MARGINS OF THE STATE AND RECREATING (TRANS)NATIONAL IMAGINARY NARRATIVE ..................................102 Reconfiguring the Margins ............................................................................106 Útrás: Structural Expressions and Narratives of Nationhood. Mediating the Local and Global: The National and The International. Icelanders and the Icelandic Canadians ......................................................................................112 Weaving the Ties: Producing Cultural Practices and Identities in Canada ...125 Conclusion .....................................................................................................137 4. SCULPTING TRANSNATIONAL PRACTICES. .......................................144 Sculpting the Millennium ..............................................................................147 Unveiling Transnational Politics....................................................................158 Eurocentric “Fuss in Party Halls”..................................................................171
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Arctic As a Food Producing Region
    FINAL REPORT -- THE ARCTIC AS A FOOD PRODUCING REGION The Arctic as a Food Producing Region Final Project Report Prepared for the Arctic Council’s Sustainable Development Working Group February 2019 Contributors to this Report: David Natcher, Yang Yang, Jill Hobbs (University of Saskatchewan), Kristin Hansen, Florent Govaerts, Silje Elde, Ingrid Kvalvik, Bjørg Helen Nøstvold, Rune Rødbotten (Nofima), Sigridur Dalmannsdottir, Hilde Halland, Eivind Uleberg (Nibio), Ólafur Reykdal, Jón Árnason, Páll Gunnar Pálsson, Rakel Halldórsdóttir, Óli Þór Hilmarsson, Gunnar Þórðarson, Þóra Valsdóttir (Matis). Iceland • Marine bioresources play a key role in the bioeconomy of Iceland. Import of food, feed and fertilizers to the region indicates opportunities to increase self-sufficiency, especially with cross sectoral utilisation of side products. • Export of fish and fish products are by far the most important food export items from Iceland. In 2016 about 596 thousand tons fish products were exported for revenue of about 246,000 million ISK. • There are about 3,000 small family-owned sheep farms in Iceland. The challenges for sheep farmers are low income and the need for off-farm employment. Innovation, product development and added value products are very much needed in the sheep value chain. • Geothermal energy makes the production of various vegetables possible in Iceland. This sector can be developed considerably. • The production of the old Icelandic dairy product skyr has increased greatly in Iceland and abroad. A total volume of about 1,300 tons are exported annually for a value of about 500 million ISK. Norway • There is a potential for increased value adding of food produced in the Norwegian Arctic, in both local and national markets.
    [Show full text]
  • The Extent of Indigenous-Norse Contact and Trade Prior to Columbus Donald E
    Oglethorpe Journal of Undergraduate Research Volume 6 | Issue 1 Article 3 August 2016 The Extent of Indigenous-Norse Contact and Trade Prior to Columbus Donald E. Warden Oglethorpe University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/ojur Part of the Canadian History Commons, European History Commons, Indigenous Studies Commons, Medieval History Commons, Medieval Studies Commons, and the Scandinavian Studies Commons Recommended Citation Warden, Donald E. (2016) "The Extent of Indigenous-Norse Contact and Trade Prior to Columbus," Oglethorpe Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 6 : Iss. 1 , Article 3. Available at: https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/ojur/vol6/iss1/3 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@Kennesaw State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Oglethorpe Journal of Undergraduate Research by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@Kennesaw State University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Extent of Indigenous-Norse Contact and Trade Prior to Columbus Cover Page Footnote I would like to thank my honors thesis committee: Dr. Michael Rulison, Dr. Kathleen Peters, and Dr. Nicholas Maher. I would also like to thank my friends and family who have supported me during my time at Oglethorpe. Moreover, I would like to thank my academic advisor, Dr. Karen Schmeichel, and the Director of the Honors Program, Dr. Sarah Terry. I could not have done any of this without you all. This article is available in Oglethorpe Journal of Undergraduate Research: https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/ojur/vol6/iss1/3 Warden: Indigenous-Norse Contact and Trade Part I: Piecing Together the Puzzle Recent discoveries utilizing satellite technology from Sarah Parcak; archaeological sites from the 1960s, ancient, fantastical Sagas, and centuries of scholars thereafter each paint a picture of Norse-Indigenous contact and relations in North America prior to the Columbian Exchange.
    [Show full text]
  • The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same
    YEARS 2003-2013 Issue 15 × 2013 September 28 - October 10 YOUR FREE COPY THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LIFE, TRAVEL & ENTERTAINMENT IN ICELAND NEWS POLITICS FILM MUSIC TRAVEL Jóhanna The gender-based Lots and lots of Bam brings us We let fish suck on Sigurðardóttir wage gap widens :( RIFF! “Random Hero” our toes… SPEAKS! 5 year anniversary of the collapse 2008- 2013 THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME... Complete Lots of Download the FREE Grapevine Appy Hour app! Reykjavík Listings cool events Every happy hour in town in your pocket. + Available on the App store and on Android Market. The Reykjavík Grapevine Issue 15 — 2013 2 Editorial | Anna Andersen TRACK OF THE ISSUE ICELANDISTAN 5.0 Anna’s 32nd Editorial have wreaked more havoc on this country than land in the foreign media. anything that’s not directly caused by a natural So much emphasis has been put on this (only disaster. Our economy has been reduced to the possible) course of action that Icelanders them- standards of Eastern Europe at end of the Cold selves have perhaps forgotten what else the new War. As a nation, we are more or less bankrupt.” government has done to stem the rippling effects Almost overnight, our tiny island nation in the of the crash, not to mention all of the events that middle of the North Atlantic became the poster- led up to it. This would at least explain why Ice- child for the global economic crisis—a shiny ex- landers recently returned to power the very same ample of how to do everything wrong.
    [Show full text]
  • View Travel Planning Guide
    YOUR O.A.T. ADVENTURE TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE® New! Arctic Expedition: Untamed Norway & Svalbard 2021 Small Groups: 20-25 travelers—guaranteed! (average of 22) Overseas Adventure Travel ® The Leader in Personalized Small Group Adventures on the Road Less Traveled 1 Dear Traveler, At last, the world is opening up again for curious travel lovers like you and me. And the O.A.T. New! Arctic Expedition: Untamed Norway & Svalbard itinerary you’ve expressed interest in will be a wonderful way to resume the discoveries that bring us so much joy. You might soon be enjoying standout moments like these: Throughout your cruise, you’ll gain in-depth insights into the mysteries of the Arctic alongside an experienced Expedition Team who will share their expertise with you. They’ll provide vital information about your voyage, lead insightful discussions about the Arctic, and join you on every Zodiac excursion. You’ll also meet with two local experts at the Bellona Foundation—an independent non-profit organization working to identify and implement sustainable environmental solutions—to discuss whether the country is acting heroically, or hypocritically, when it comes to the issue of climate change. Although the country boasts some of the most progressive environmentally-friendly practices around the globe, Norway dredges up more oil per capita than most other countries in the world. Some experts say the country is making a grave misstep on the fight to protect the climate, while others believe there are many benefits to Norway’s oil production. We’ll get a firsthand account from both sides of this controversy with a representative of the Bellona Foundation and a local offshore oil worker.
    [Show full text]
  • Kaupthing Bank
    Kaupthing Bank - COMPANY UPDATE - HOLD Rating Summary and Conclusions Equity value 223,7 bn.ISK Kaupthing Bank acquires FIH Price 407,9 Kaupthing Bank (KB banki) has reached an agreement with Forenings Sparbanken (Swedbank) to Closing price 23.06.2004 429,5 purchase FI Holding, the holding company of the Danish corporate bank FIH. The purchase price amounts to ISK 84 billion (EUR 1,000 million), in addition to which Swedbank will retain part of Contents FIH's own equity. The acquisition will be financed with the issue of new share capital to holders of pre-emptive rights, as well as through subordinated debt. The price-to-book ratio for the Summary and Conclusions.........................................................1 transaction is 1.6. Kaupthing Bank acquires FIH....................................................2 Payment..................................................................................2 FIH is the third-largest bank in Danmark, with total assets close to ISK 800 bn at the end of Q1. It Financing.........................................................................2 was established in 1954 by the Danish state to encourage growth and development of Danish FIH...............................................................................................2 industry. FIH's activities are almost exclusively corporate lending. It holds a 17% share of the Danish Effect on group operations and value...................................3 corporate market and has around 5,000 customers, half of whom have been dealing with the
    [Show full text]
  • ITINERARY Icelandic Getaway November 4—10, 2021
    icelandic GETAWAY A Nordic Adventure November 4—10, 2021 Icelandic Getaway November 4—10, 2021 THE STUNNING HARPA CONCERT HALL IN REYKJAVÍK’S HARBOR When it comes to Iceland, the scenery is just the tip of the iceberg... Iceland is one of Onward Travel’s favorite places on the planet and we have been there many times to explore this dynamic and exciting destination Imagine yourself… with our travel groups. Over the years we’ve established a robust network of travel partners and friends and an understanding of and appreciation for Soaking away your Icelandic culture. jetlag in the Blue Lagoon Iceland is like nowhere else on earth and during this tour we’ll immerse ourselves in Reykjavík and its surrounds. Our small group will learn about the history of the country from the vikings through the present day; taste Looking up in delight classic dishes, modern Icelandic cuisine, and greenhouse grown tomatoes; as the Northern Lights gain an understanding of geothermal energy and how it enables Icelandic dance above you society to flourish; soak in multiple geothermal pools (the best!); and so (fingers crossed!) much more. Reykjavík is a tiny capital city, perfect for strolling and full of great Eating hot lobster soup restaurants and fabulous shopping. Our fun group of travelers is sure to in Reykjavík’s harbor have a real blast laughing, learning and experiencing Iceland together! OnwardTravel.co Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the Hudson Valley, New York DAILY ITINERARY Icelandic Getaway November 4—10, 2021 Welcome to Iceland! Reykjavík
    [Show full text]
  • Close Encounter Chanel’S Mobile Art Mother Ship Has Landed in Central Park
    ▲ NEWS: ▲ Ann FASHION: ▲ RETAIL: Taylor Contemporary ▲ NEWS: Topshop taps brands Susan goes design, feel the Sokol bigger in store squeeze, to exit Tokyo, heads, page 9. Vera page 3. Wang, page 3. page 3. WWDWomen’s Wear Daily • TheTHURSDAY Retailers’ Daily Newspaper • October 16, 2008 • $3.00 Sportswear Close Encounter Chanel’s Mobile Art mother ship has landed in Central Park. The futuristic, Zaha Hadid-designed pavilion, which houses 18 modern artists’ odes to the iconic Chanel 2.55 handbag, will open to the public on Monday. For more on the installation, see pages 6 and 7. Bleak House: Retail Shares Dive Again as Outlook Darkens By David Moin and Evan Clark On a day marked by disappointments in which it has issued them, and the Credit jitters have given way to on several fronts, the Commerce weakness recently seen in retail shares holiday dread. Department reported declines in swept over the vendor community, led by The severity of the retail downturn nearly every category of retail sales in a nearly 30 percent drop in the price of was on full display Wednesday, in the September, including department and Jones Apparel Group Inc. shares. Jones process further depressing already specialty stores; the National Retail reduced its earnings estimates for the downtrodden stocks and anemic Federation issued its lowest forecast year after the market closed Tuesday. holiday expectations. for holiday spending in the seven years See More, Page 17 PHOTO BY TALAYA CENTENO TALAYA PHOTO BY WWD.COM WWDTHURSDAY Sportswear FASHION 6 Karl Lagerfeld and Zaha Hadid’s Space-Age spin ™ on portable structures, Chanel’s Mobile Art pavil- ion, has touched down in Central Park.
    [Show full text]
  • Conditional Voluntary Public Take-Over Offer
    CONDITIONAL VOLUNTARY PUBLIC TAKE-OVER OFFER on all Distribution Shares (coupon No. 20 and following attached) and all Capitalisation Shares issued by IMMO CROISSANCE Société d’investissement à capital variable (SICAV) incorporated under Luxembourg law Registered office: 69, route d’Esch L-1470 Luxembourg Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg Company Register of Luxembourg B 28872 by BAUGUR Group hf Registered Office : Túngötu 6 101 Reykjavik Iceland Register of Companies Fyrirtækjaskrá Ríkisskattstjóra: 480798-2289 ("BAUGUR") The terms of the Offer have been reviewed by the board of IMMO CROISSANCE at a meeting on 13 July, 2007. The following is the conclusion of the “avis motivé” of the board: Considering the foregoing, and that IMMO CROISSANCE has not received at the date of the present opinion other shows of interest in the form of a firm acquisition offer, the Board recommends to the shareholders to subscribe to the offer of BAUGUR. The full text of the “avis motivé” is reproduced as Annex 5 to this Prospectus. The “avis motivé” is circulated together with this Prospectus but has not been reviewed by nor approved by the CSSF. 1 Offer price: Per Capitalisation Share: a cash payment of EUR 926.16 Per Distribution Share (coupon No. 20 and following attached): a cash payment of EUR 329.15 Period: from 18 July 2007 to 31 August 2007 Centralising Agents: Banque Degroof in Belgium and Dexia Banque Internationale in Luxembourg Financial Intermediaries: In Belgium: Banque Degroof S.A., Tel: +32(2) 287 97 59 In the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg: Dexia Banque Internationale, Tel: +352 4590 4278 Investors are especially asked to refer to section 2.5.
    [Show full text]
  • Unsettling the White Noise: Deconstructing the Nation-Building
    Unsettling the White Noise: Deconstructing the Nation-Building Project of CBC Radio One’s Canada Reads By Emily M. Burns A thesis submitted to the Graduate Program in the Department of Gender Studies in conformity with the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts Queen’s University Kingston, Ontario, Canada August, 2012 Copyright @ Emily M. Burns, 2012 Abstract The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Canada Reads program, based on the popular television show Survivor, welcomes five Canadian personalities to defend one Canadian book, per year, that they believe all Canadians should read. The program signifies a common discourse in Canada as a nation-state regarding its own lack of coherent and fixed identity, and can be understood as a nationalist project. I am working with Canada Reads as an existing archive, utilizing materials as both individual and interconnected entities in a larger and ongoing process of cultural production – and it is important to note that it is impossible to separate cultural production from cultural consumption. Each year offers a different set of insights that can be consumed in their own right, which is why this project is written in the present tense. Focusing on the first ten years of the Canada Reads competition, I argue that Canada Reads plays a specific and calculated role in the CBC’s goal of nation-building: one that obfuscates repressive national histories and legacies and instead promotes the transformative powers of literacy as that which can conquer historical and contemporary inequalities of all types. This research lays bare the imagined and idealized ‘communities’ of Canada Reads audiences that the CBC wishes to reflect in its programming, and complicates this construction as one that abdicates contemporary responsibilities of settlers.
    [Show full text]
  • Third Theme: Applying the Lessons of History
    Third Theme: Applying the Lessons of History Third Third Theme: Applying the Lessons of History 149 Third Theme: Applying the Lessons of History Third 150 Third Theme: Applying the Lessons of History Third North European Popular Heroes: Representing the Past? Joonas Ahola Folklore carries memories from the past. Among all alone they slaughter monsters and whole armies, different folklore genres, sacred folklore is the most in order to protect their people, usually under the invariable and stable since variation of its content is rule of Prince Vladimir. Most recorded byliny belong not accepted by the people: sacred folklore is consid- to the Kievan cycle. ered to represent sacred truth, and conscious chang- ing of its content is comparable to blasphemy.1 Heroic The Novgorodian bylina hero Vasili Buslaev6 differs traditions are close to sacred tradition in this sense, in many respects from the Kievan bylina heroes: he is and often also part of it. Heroic traditions may thus described as an individualistic, arrogant, solitary and preserve archaic features for ages.2 rather badly behaved hero, hostile to his own people. Heroic traditions tell typically of exceptional persons These differences from the ”Kievan hero” bring Vasili who are filled with qualities considered to be good Buslaev closer to other North European heroic fig- and admirable, and whose deeds are brave and noble ures: Kaukomieli7, of Finnish epic poetry and Grettir according to the prevailing values of the folk reciters the Strong8, told of in an Icelandic saga from the 14th recounting tales.3 century. All of these heroes used to be central popular heroic figures in their own narrative fields.
    [Show full text]
  • Yearbook of Muslims in Europe the Titles Published in This Series Are Listed at Brill.Com/Yme Yearbook of Muslims in Europe Volume 5
    Yearbook of Muslims in Europe The titles published in this series are listed at brill.com/yme Yearbook of Muslims in Europe Volume 5 Editor-in-Chief Jørgen S. Nielsen Editors Samim Akgönül Ahmet Alibašić Egdūnas Račius LEIDEN • boSTON 2013 This publication has been typeset in the multilingual “Brill” typeface. With over 5,100 characters covering Latin, IPA, Greek, and Cyrillic, this typeface is especially suitable for use in the humanities. For more information, please see www.brill.com/brill-typeface. ISSN 1877-1432 ISBN 978-90-04-25456-5 (hardback) ISBN 978-90-04-25586-9 (e-book) Copyright 2013 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands. Koninklijke Brill NV incorporates the imprints Brill, Global Oriental, Hotei Publishing, IDC Publishers and Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use is granted by Koninklijke Brill NV provided that the appropriate fees are paid directly to The Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Suite 910, Danvers, MA 01923, USA. Fees are subject to change. This book is printed on acid-free paper. CONTENTS The Editors ........................................................................................................ ix Editorial Advisers ...........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • “From Sod House to Lefse House”
    “From Sod House to Lefse House” Immigration, Ethnicity, and the Formation and Reformulation of the Norwegian-Canadian Identity in Western Canada. By Kristin Borgenheim A Thesis presented to the Department of Literature, Area Studies and European Languages Faculty of Humanities In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the MA Degree in English. UNIVERSITY OF OSLO Spring 2011 ii Abstract This thesis investigates the formation and reformulation of a distinct Norwegian- Canadian identity in western Canada. It argues that Norwegian immigrants to Canada in the beginning of the twentieth century adapted to Canadian society through their Norwegian lenses and worldview, and created a distinct Norwegian-Canadian western identity through the establishment of various organizations. During the late 1930s and 1940s, mainly as a result of the Great Depression and World War II, Norwegian Canadians seem to have become more assimilated, but there were still some who worked to revive interest in the Norwegian culture. With the movement towards official Multiculturalism in Canada and the initiation of the Multiculturalism policy in 1971, Norwegian Canadians experienced an ethnic revival. The Norwegian-Canadian identity had been reformulated and was now largely expressed through symbols. Still, their Norwegian heritage held great importance, and Norwegian Canadians again celebrated their heritage both privately and publicly. iii Acknowledgements After countless hours of research, writing and editing, my thesis is done and the time has come to thank the many people who in different ways have helped me complete it. First, I would like to thank my supervisor, Associate Professor David C. Mauk for his feedback. A very special thanks to Professor Gerhard Ens for providing suggestions and believing in my project.
    [Show full text]