In this book, the eighth in the Relate North series, we present nine chapters exploring the multifaceted notions of ‘distance’ or ‘distances’, particularly in the Northern and Arctic context. Featuring distinguished artists, designers, researchers and academics, each contribution explores different dimensions of what distant and distances means with the focus on Northern and Arctic perspectives of contemporary art, design and education. In each essay, the theme of distance is about more than a measure between locations rather, it can refer to multifaced northern eco-cultures and communities including, for example, distances between Indigenous and non-indigenous groups of the North and the Arctic.

Drawing on projects and studies from Canada, Finland, Norway and the Sakha Republic this book explores contemporary practices in art and design, arts-based research and knowledge exchange in education. The contributing authors provide thought-provoking accounts of current practice in these regions. The studies in the book interpret the terms ‘arts’ and ‘design’ broadly to include, for instance, place-based art design; textile crafts; Indigenous making and socially-engaged art. This book will be of interest to a wide audience including, for example, anthropologists, geographers, sociologists, artists, designers, art educators and practice-based researchers in addition to those with a general interest in Northern and Arctic issues.

The complete, open-access book can be downloaded from the InSEA website.

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