Anna Stammler-Gossmann’s exhibition at Gallery Kopio presents photographic material from the Finnish-Argentinean CIBIECO project on the circular economy in the Arctic.

As humans, we have adopted a linear “take, make and
throw away” approach, in contrast to the circular processes observed in nature. In
the living world, there is no waste disposal site – the waste of one species is the
food of another, things grow and then die, and nutrients return to the soil. Can we
shift our linear mindset to operate in the same circular manner as the
more-than-human world?

While recycling begins at the end of
a product’s life cycle, a circular economy addresses waste prevention from the
outset. However, there are many structural, legal and cost-related challenges in
implementing this concept in practice. 

The
exhibition presents the Finnish-Argentinian project CIBIECO (Circular Bioeconomy:
From Theory to practice, 2022-2024). The project focuses on the ideas of the
circular economy like “building capital from waste”, “keeping economy in a circular
loop”, and their practical application in small enterprises across Finland and
Argentina.

This project integrates research, education, and
local community engagement. The exchange between Finnish and Argentinian researchers
and students provides great opportunities for sharing expertise, knowledge and
cultural insights. The project is funded by Team Finland Knowledge
programme. 
Project participants:
Arctic Centre,
University of Lapland (Lead institution), Rovaniemi, Finland
Centria
University of Applied Sciences, Kokkola, Finland 
National
University of Río Cuarto, Rio Cuarto, Argentina  
National University of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and South Atlantic Islands,
Ushuaia, Argentina

Dr. Anna Stammler-Gossmann, who is
leading the CIBIECO consortium project is a social anthropologist at the Arctic
Centre of the University of Lapland and Coordinator of the Arctic Studies Programme.
She explores the ways communities across the Arctic and Sub-Antarctic (Patagonia;
Argentina) embed themselves into the context of societal and environmental changes.
Her research draws on theoretical frameworks that connect the anthropology of space
and place, concepts of cold, disaster, northern economies, and food systems with
ideas of circularity and sustainability.

The exhibition presents
photo materials collected during the visits, fieldwork and “Circularity schools” in
Finland and Argentina. 

Anna
Stammler-Gossmann:
Throw away or find a way to circularity
3.9.–19.9.2024
Opening: Monday 2.9.2024 at 18–19.30
University of Lapland, (F-wing, 1st floor, Yliopistonkatu 8, Rovaniemi)
Open: Mon-Fri at 8–19.30, Sat-Sun closed.