Kristin Bergaust

25.03.2021 – 10.06.2021
Moss station, in the waiting hall

Environmental activism and art

The amount of cod in the Oslo Fjord has been dramatically reduced in recent years. A number of researchers are trying to find the reasons for this. In the video Oslofjord Ecologies Short Expedition, artist Kristin Bergaust takes us on a trip on the Oslo Fjord and addresses issues around economy, cruise ships, sustainability and cod. The video tells a very concrete story about how different interests are set against each other - cruise ships versus cod. The Oslofjord cods’ spawning grounds were destroyed in 2016 to provide room for cruise ships, and three years later the cod had to be protected because of critically low levels. At the same time, the film is a work of art where the artist's gaze, ways of telling and the use of artistic means are strong. Environmental activism and art go hand in hand. The film is part of Oslofjord Ecologies - a platform for artistic research run by Kristin Bergaust since 2016.

 
Oslofjord Ecologies aims to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration around the environment and sustainability, and investigate how knowledge and artistic methods can contribute to increased sustainability. Oslofjord Ecologies explores ecological contexts and challenges that are specific and tangible, as well as cultural practices and relationships between the environment and people. Oslofjord Ecologies has resulted in a number of workshops, performances, works of art, exhibitions, excursions and an anthology that brings together the work until 2020. The anthology Oslofjord Ecologies. Artistic Research on Environmental and Social Sustainability can be downloaded here: http://rixc.org/press/AS.Vol.18-OSLOFJORD-ECOLOGIES-download.pdf

Kristin Bergaust is educated at the National Academy of Fine Art and holds a university degree in literature and languages. She works as a Professor at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design at OsloMet. Her artistic practice includes gallery presentations as well as social, performative projects and interdisciplinary collaborations. Research interests are among others art and technology in ecological and social coontexts. She works with digital media such as video, animation and sound. She was the director of Atelier Nord where she developed a media lab for artists and organized and curated numerous media art projects since the 1990ties. kristinbergaust.com