Science in the Farthest North
The Nobel Peace laureate Fridtjof Nansen is renowned and highly regarded throughout the world for his expeditions in the Arctic regions and for his humanitarian efforts in the inter-world-war era. What is less well known are the role he played as an important unifying figure, mediator and diplomat for the young Norwegian state after 1905 and his activity as an innovative researcher and author.
The year 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of Fridtjof Nansen’s birth and the bicentennial of the founding of the University of Oslo, where Nansen was a research fellow and later a professor. This exhibition was conceived and launched by the university to commemorate these two anniversaries. After being shown in Bergen (Norway) and two cities in Russia, it is now on view in the Felleshus.
Graphic: Gry Hansen / www.hummingbird.no
Fridtjof Nansen and his work are the main focus of the exhibition, which includes original graphics, first editions of some of his books, his pen and a selection of unique expedition objects, some of which are displayed here for the first time outside of Norway.
Today’s environmental challenges and the realization that the Arctic regions are of great significance for the climate have once again underscored the vital importance of Nansen’s research. And despite modern technologies and new research methods, these key questions continue to remain elusive:
What impact does climate change have on the ecosystem in the North?
How does the ocean influence our environment?
Why is the ice melting in the Arctic?
In the exhibition, four Norwegian scientists are presented who are eminent in their respective fields and whose research was inspired by Fridtjof Nansen: Jan Gunnar Winther (polar hydrologist), Olav Sigurd Kjesbu (fisheries biologist), Cecilie Mauritzen (oceanographer) and John Grue (mathematician). Texts, pictures, videos and installations inform the exhibition visitor about the researchers, their respective fields and research institutions.
An exhibition of the Royal Norwegian Embassy. It was curated by Dr. nat. Olav Christensen, University of Oslo.
Free admission.
