The Sunken House

Key Learnings

• Constructive community engagement: The art project successfully engaged the local community in debate about the climate crisis, highlighting the political and emotional possibilities of visual art. Lifting the debate out of the internet and into the local community through a face-to-face panel debate engaged a considerable number of people in the community and facilitated a civil debate on a divisive issue.
• Overcoming initial critique: The artwork initially spurred debate online, where some critics were concerned about the artwork’s potential to unduly scare children. In the public panel meeting, which was arranged in response to the online debate, it was suggested that children were more scared by adults not taking climate science seriously.
• Involvement from children and young people: The younger generations have made it clear that they want a seat at the table in climate discussions, and they seem no more vulnerable to climate anxiety than adults.

Summary

The Vesterålen archipelago in the Norwegian Arctic is facing warming sea temperatures and sea level rise, disrupting human and animal life now and in the future. As part of the RESIST project, GaiaVesterålen commissioned an urban artwork from Deana Kolencikova titled The Sunken House – a projection of NASA’s worst-case scenario for sea level rise in the area – which spurred debate in the local community, culminating in a well-attended public meeting.

Contact

Ane Høyem, Project Manager at GAIA Vesterålen (ane [dot] hoyemmuseumnord [dot] no (ane[dot]hoyem[at]museumnord[dot]no))