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Jessie Kleemann (Greenland, born 1959), *Arkhticós Doloros / The Arctic in Pain*, 2019 (detail), single-channel video, 12 minutes. Courtesy of the artist. © Jessie Kleemann

She is widely known for her performative practice that is based on ancient masque rituals.

On July 19, 2019, Kleemann traveled by helicopter to the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier in West Greenland, where meltwater is collecting menacingly, to carry out one of her trance-inducing performances. Its title Arkhticós Doloros is drawn from Barry Lopez’s book Arctic Dreams, which explores the many-faceted wonders of the Far North. Kleemann relies on her Inuit heritage, where myths, shamanism, and rituals reflect man’s centuries-long relationship with the harsh nature of the Arctic. Her bodily movements appear ritualistic, planned, and improvised. The video Arkhticós Doloros on view here conveys the terrifying sensation of being—acting—at the ground zero of the climate crisis.

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Guest UserFebruary 11, 20222022 nat artist

Jessie Kleemann

Artist and poet Jessie Kleemann is originally from Upernavik in northern Greenland; today, she lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark. Trained as a lithographic artist, she works with traditional and contemporary Inuit themes, video, music, poetry, and dance.

She is widely known for her performative practice that is based on ancient masque rituals.

Explore more artworks from North Atlantic Triennial

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Jessie Kleemann

Artist and poet Jessie Kleemann is originally from Upernavik in northern Greenland; today, she lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark. Trained as a lithographic artist, she works with traditional and contemporary Inuit themes, video, music, poetry, and dance.

She is widely known for her performative practice that is based on ancient masque rituals.

Explore more artworks from North Atlantic Triennial

VISITEXHIBITIONSPROGRAMS & EVENTSPMA FILMSJOIN & GIVELearnWINSLOW HOMER STUDIO

Art For AllSustainabilityABOUT THE PMADonate OnlinePRESS ROOMANNUAL REPORTSPMA Recommends

Facility RentalBOARD OF TRUSTEEScareersDIRECTORYIMAGE SERVICESTerms of UseContact US

LOG IN: Staff | Docents | Trustees

VISIT
EXHIBITIONS
PROGRAMS & EVENTS
PMA FILMS
JOIN & GIVE
Learn
WINSLOW HOMER STUDIO

Art For All
Sustainability
ABOUT THE PMA
Donate Online
PRESS ROOM
ANNUAL REPORTS
PMA Recommends

Facility Rental
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
careers
DIRECTORY
IMAGE SERVICES
Terms of Use
Contact US