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Ljiljana Maletin Vojvodić, a writer, and Dragan Vojvodić, a multimedia artist, participated in the Spitsbergen Artist Residency exchange in Longyearbyen, in September 2024.

They worked on a long-term project titled The Meaning of Home / Carbon Footprint. This interdisciplinary and collaborative initiative encompassed research, surveys, textual and audiovisual works, and performance art.

They were particularly drawn to the unique context of Svalbard due to its high mobility, international population, and focus on sustainability.

Their exhibition and performance titled Carbon Footprint, which explored how global challenges impacted individual identities and reshaped communities worldwide, took place on September 26th at 7 PM at the Spitsbergen Art Center Gallery.

Additionally, they kindly asked the locals of Longyearbyen to participate in their research by filling out a questionnaire about living in Longyearbyen.

The questionnaire could be accessed here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJC7zWTsmK5teRkTR4YV42RVC7lJMlGHNe_ls10BJkuV8XCw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Why Longyearbyen?

Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Svalbard, was a small Norwegian metropolis home to approximately 2,400 residents from nearly 53 different countries. This Arctic town attracted nature enthusiasts who lived close to the rugged conditions of the High Arctic wilderness right at their doorstep. Longyearbyen served as a gateway to nature-based experiences and was the starting point for most adventures in Svalbard.

Longyearbyen aimed to transition into a sustainable future without coal. The town’s economy was supported by three pillars: tourism, education, and research. Longyearbyen drew visitors, tourists, and researchers from around the globe.