ARCTICulators: Danielle Korneliussen
Foto: Trine Hisdal/Steen og Strøm
What exactly is an ARCTICulator? The innovative people of the Arctic who live life in creativity, and much more…
We met up with artist and model Danielle Korneliussen (67), originally from Michigan, now based out of Bodø. How did you end up moving here?
As with many other “cultural transplants”, I was so lucky to meet my tall, light and handsome dream man from Finnmark in my little book shop on the campus of the University of Michigan. The entire happening of small fishing village boy from Norway meeting big city girl from America was as surreal and “bound to fail” as you can get, but here we are, nearly 30 years later and we are still happy as clams!
When I look back to the very beginning of our big adventure, I certainly remember there being some adjustments for me to make while getting used to my new cultural reality, but my perspective today is that I have been blessed with the great fortune to be a participant in a community of people with whom I share the most important values.
Culture is a big word and in Bodø2024 we believe that culture is in everything we live and breathe. Can you point out what it is in the Arctic culture that inspires you most in your daily work?
One of the truly beautiful features of working together with north Norwegians is their great ability and desire to come up with solutions that are a good fit for all involved. Good teamwork is a skill set that I think people from our region have in great tact.
As much as my work evolves around the universe of fashion and style, it is imperative that each voice involved in a project be considered. To adopt an attitude that there are no bad ideas is the cornerstone of a healthy team. When it comes to designing a shop interior or styling the window displays there can be moments when we don’t all see eye to eye…Such it is to be a member of the human race! However, in my years of experience of working on projects of an esthetic nature with other experts and influencers from our region, I find that the end results are driven more by the desired success of the group as supposed to the satisfaction of the ego.
What type of cultural activities in the region do you enjoy personally and make you feel connected to your surroundings?
When I want to take a break from all things work related, I grab my dream man and make a bee line to the magical land known as Rønvikjordene. This is where one leaves one’s daily work routine and enters the the world of magic by some of Bodø’s premier growers of all things green and earthbound. Our buddy Gaute Terjesson has developed the most extraordinary garden of delights going by the name of Bodø Grønt. His glorious vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers can be purchased at one of Bodøs most treasured delis, Brødrene Berbusmel.
Another place that I love to visit are the 3 “bautesteiner” that stand in a triangle just behind Vågenes gård. These 3 ancient stones are thought to be from the iron age and are burial mounds from the Vikings. You may have heard of the “tree-huggers”, but we are avid grave stone huggers in our free time.
Bodø2024 defines you an ARTCTICulator joining the new northern movement. What advice would you like to give to our other international movers joining the arctic culture?
In the nearly 3 decades that I have been connected to Bodø I have seen some dramatic changes take place. When I came here for my first visit, I was just one in a handful of foreign people to be seen around town. Now we are many new cultures -many whom have joined the leagues of trailblazers for change and development.
For the next generation of newcomers, I’d say that the joy of experiencing the grandeur of our nature is something that will expand ones mind and encourage a sort of groundedness. Hike the trails, hop on board the local ferries that take you out to the small outlying islands where people live in tiny communities. Shop local and get to know the delightful people behind the counters. Get to know the ways and the spirit that set north Norwegians apart from all the rest. And remember one important detail: If you have a burning desire to start something new in our ever-growing community, there will always be a way to make things happen, and there will always be a helping hand.
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