NORDIC ARCTIC / SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE BEYOND THE ARCTIC CIRCLE

The project is in line with the long-term strategy of Jaroslav Fragner Gallery & Architectura in their search for the use of current architecture as an important factor to maintain the quality of open landscape or public space. It follows up on projects focusing on environmental architecture and art as a tool to improve the urban public space. In the past, some of these projects were prepared in cooperation with our partners from the donor countries, such as Artscape Norway, Artscape Island, Arctic Nordic Alpine – In the dialogue with the Landscape). An important aspect is the search for tools for the discussion on sustainable tourism as part of the circular economy.

This bilateral activity also involves visual art as it presents the topics for general public at a photography exhibition, including videos.

The bilateral cooperation aims at developing the discussion on the role of the sustainable architecture as part of the adaptation for climatic changes. It will enable the presentations of model examples of landscape sustainability, both in environmental terms and with regards to the increased tourism in popular areas. An important part of the project is the meeting of Norwegian and Czech experts discussing the possibilities to present strategic goals for the sustainable architecture in locations exposed to climatic extremes and tourism.

Schedule

► Bilateral journey / May 2022

Meeting with the Norwegian experts and partners in Oslo

ARFO – Jiří Havran

Snohetta –Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, Jette Hopp

Rintala Eggertsson – Dagur Eggertsson

Institutions to be visited – DogA, ROM, National museum (Architecture)

Meeting with partners and discussion of the main project topics.

Selection of architectural projects and realizations to be presented at the exhibition and discussed at lectures and debates during the exhibition organized as part of the Landscape Festival Prague 2022.

► Bilateral journey / July 2022

A bilateral photographic journey with Jiří Havran, featuring possible meetings with representatives of the photographed institutions in selected locations.

Tromsø/UIT – The Arctic University of Norway

Bodø/ Rintala Eggertsson studio

Svalbard/ Longyearbyen

Svalbard Science Centre, Svalbard Global Seed Vault

Svalbard Museum, Kunstahall Svalbard, Gallery Svalbard

Lofoten/ Norwegian Tourist Routes

Kawi Factory – art platform

Exhibition / September, October 2022

Jaroslav Fragner Gallery

curators – Dan Merta, Jiří Havran

contents:

photos of realized buildings, presentation of the projects – proposals, videos

the final content will be consulted with experts during the first bilateral journey

Public buildings
Buildings for tourists, including the facilities on Norwegian hiking routes
Infrastructure and urban design

The NORDIC ARCTIC exhibition offers contemplative visual records of buildings and landscapes through the lens of Oslo-based photographer Jiří Havran, who has focused on this theme for more than 20 years. The distinctive poetics of his photographs offer a unique record of the transformation of romantic, but also very climatically harsh locations beyond the Arctic Circle in dialogue with the tourist traffic.

One of the exhibition’s underlying themes is the growing debate over the role of sustainable architecture in adapting to climate change. The exhibition documents exemplary examples both in the context of environmental sustainability of landscapes and in relation to the increasing influx of tourists into exposed landscapes. It illustrates possible strategies of professional institutions in Norway, Sweden, Iceland or Denmark. A prime example is the unique system of Norwegian National Tourist Routes. Creativity and innovation with a humble approach have become a model for other countries (including Iceland) in creating tourism infrastructure while protecting outstanding landscapes.

Larger buildings that play an important role as cultural and social centres in the Scandinavian Arctic and are epicentres of the social life of settlements beyond the Arctic Circle are also featured. The university city of Tromsø is a prime example of a successful dialogue between contemporary architecture and historical heritage, including the revitalisation of former docks and industrial sites. The capital of the Svalbard archipelago, Longyearbyen, with its mining tradition, is also being transformed by Arctic exploration and the onslaught of tourist expeditions. Jiří Havran has also captured the unique atmosphere of the Russian former mining town of Pyramiden.

The second part of the exhibition also presents innovative realisations and projects that show a wide range of architectural concepts by leading Scandinavian studios.

Exhibiting architects: 70°N arkitektur • ANDERSEN & SIGURDSSON ARCHITECTS • Arkitema • Asplan Viak • Basalt Architects • BIG • Biotope • Code arkitektur • Dorte Mandrup • Einar Jarmund & Co • Henning Larsen • Jensen & Skodvin Architects • Joar Nango • LPO Arkitekter • Manthey Kula Architects • MORFEUS arkitekter • Uffe Black Nielsen • Peter Zumthor & Partner • PUSHAK • Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter • Rintala Eggertsson Architects • Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects • Skapa • Snøhetta • Steven Holl Architects • Tham & Videgård Arkitekter • The Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO) • Vigsnæs+Kosberg++Arkitekter • White Arkitekter

Selected examples / realizations

Iceland/

Akureyri Culture House

Myvathn Thermal Bath

Visitor Centre Borgarfjordur Eystri

Husavik Sea Bath

Vok

Norway/

Norwegian Tourist Routes – Lofoen Andoya, Senja

Tromsø Library

Fleinvaer Refugium

Bodø Town Hall