Arctic Driftwood
The subject of the driftwood in Iceland has a unique geographical history that is hidden from most observes. It can often be spotted around the northern shores of Iceland in great amounts that have accumulated throughout the years. But how did it get there and what role does it have as a direct actor of development in Iceland? The driftwood most often originated in the forests of Siberia where it had been cut down for utilization of the wood. A part of the wood made its way down rivers and into the arctic ocean where currents brought it all the way to the small island in the north Atlantic, habitated mostly by rural farmers. The resource of wood in Ice- land was already mostly depleted during the 19th century, making the abundant driftwood a welcomed resource. The aim of the project is to shed light on this unseen human connection and try to show the viewer how Icelanders utilized a surprising resource that originated from an unknown world. The story of the exhibition is the story of the driftwood, how it began its journey as a tree in the Siberian taiga and how it crossed the freezing arctic ocean and came to be a major actor in Icelandic infrastructure, development and culture. The exhibition will open in Reykjavík in late 2024 before it will be exhibited in the driftwood regions of Iceland.
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Betula Seasons
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The project Betula Seasons showcases the Downy Birch tree of Iceland transitioning throughout all four seasons. The idea was born from a geographical approach about how important this particular species of tree is to Iceland both historically, culturally and environmentally. The Betula pubescens is the only native tree in Iceland that can form natural forests, usually characterized by high biodiversity and productivity. Sources have indicated that the tree was the backbone of peoples lives during the settlement as it was used for building material for all sorts of craft. Today this is generally considered to be an unsustainable extract of a fragile natural resource but one can´t help to wonder if the history and cultural heritage of Iceland would be the same if it were not for these actions. Throughout the years, forestry in Iceland has shifted between using the Birch or other foreign species that behave differently in the Icelandic soil. This has been a subject of debate between people as the Birch is considered to play a key role in servicing the fragile ecosystems of the Icelandic tundra in the most natural way, causing less harm than species such as pine trees, which have been shown f.x. to have acidic effect on the volcanic soil of the Icelandic ecosystems despite their impressive soil binding abilities. Forestry and soil recovery in Iceland is therefore a subject of debate as different species have their own character and effect on the ecosystem can vary greatly. The exhibition premiered on the 26th of january 2021 in the Flæði gallery in Vesturgata 17 in Reykjavík, followed by Núllið gallery on the 13th of March 2021. The exhibition concluded with a set up at the Reykjavík Museum of Photography from the 4th of february - 3rd of april 2022.