Figurines as Figurations. A Move from Identification to Complex Cartographies

Description

Figurines from the Scandinavian Iron Age are, with few exceptions, commonly interpreted as representations of godly figures, such as Odin, Thor or Freya, or as mythical figures known from Norse literature, such as Valkyries. However, it may be argued that any prehistoric figurine, regardless of time period and geographical region, is deemed to be interpreted in similar simplistic and reductionistic terms, that is as a representation of a god, goddess or
deity. Needless to say, figurines are also frequently categorised in terms of binary gender. There are welcome exceptions to this rule (e.g. Arwill-Nordbladh 2013, Meskell 2009, Wihlborg 2020), but they seldom, sadly, hold sway. In this paper, I start by briefly investigating the apparatuses that assist in, and seemingly always insist on, producing figurines as mere representations. I then make an effort to rethink the stakes of this given tradition, by tracing power differentials. They include difference in power between a variety of entities that continuously may shift positions of domination and subordination, resulting in an array of unfolding stories and becomings. A few of these, from the Scandinavian Iron Age,
are lastly presented.

Period	2023 Jun 16
Event title	Figurines in Transformation: The Emergence of Figurative Imagery at the Edges of Europe
Event type	Workshop
Location	StockholmShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International