Submerged Nature
The is featuring photography, cyanotypes, and watercolor works inspired by the sea and the island of Kinn. Hansen draws inspiration from the work of one of Norway’s first marine biologists, Michael Sars, who lived in Florø between 1831 and 1839 and served as the parish priest on Kinn. As an expert on jellyfish, echinoderms, and mollusks, Sars discovered several new species in the area, and his research forms the basis for Hansen’s artistic explorations. The exhibition reflects on marine ecosystems and humanity’s relationship with nature. One of the main works is the five-meter-long watercolor Remarkable Living Creatures, which portrays several of the species documented by Sars, alongside excerpts from his scientific writings. Hansen has also explored tidal pools on Kinn and photographed underwater, resulting in an extensive series of cyanotypes depicting shells, seaweed, and other marine organisms. Through her works, Hansen draws attention to the increasing pressure on marine life and raises questions about how we manage and protect this fragile environment. Sars' research remains relevant today, as he focused on species that often go unnoticed in discussions about natural resource conservation.