Lizette Gradén
Konstfack, Sweden
Download articlePublished in: Current Issues in European Cultural Studies; June 15-17; Norrköping; Sweden 2011
Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 62:30, p. 277-284
Published: 2011-11-22
ISBN: 978-91-7519-993-1
ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)
How are Nordic Spaces crafted in the Nordic Countries and in the United States? How do such spaces give shape to cultural heritage? Drawing on theories of materialization and ritual performance; this paper discusses vernacular gifts as a form of materializing relationships; crafting bonds and delimiting boundaries between regions and museums in the wake of migration. By highlighting vernacular gifts from individuals and groups to Scandinavian museums in the United States; I would like to address how gift exchange maps out boundaries; between inside and outside; below and above; distant and close; near and far. The paper will show how gift exchange plays a creative role when Scandinavian museums craft relationships with particular regions; nations; and areas recognized as Scandinavia and Norden.