Art and Engagement with the Cold War in Shetland

The article discusses an ongoing project based in the Shetland Islands situated to the north of mainland Scotland and Norway. Permar and Timmins investigate the ‘Cold War’ period; roughly between the end of World War II and the demise of the Soviet Union; i.e. the years 1946 to 1991. In reporting the project and presenting some of the artwork that was produced, the authors argue that ‘Art can stimulate debate, trigger collective memory and promote engagement with issues related to the Cold War that are unique to the populations of the northern and Arctic regions.’ Amultidisciplinary approach was taken to data collection that included, for example film, photography and interviews.