Observation of Change is a collaborative art project rooted in Nordic collaboration, intertwined with a nature restoration initiative titled “Observation – An Observation of Change” in the picturesque Junkerdal area of Saltdal municipality, Norway.

The project “Observation of Change” (OOC), running from 2023 to 2026, brings together artists and biological science to address environmental challenges through creative and transdisciplinary approaches. The collaboration highlights the role of art in fostering empathy, communicating scientific research, and supporting the decolonization of nature while removing invasive species to protect native ecosystems. Through the concept of New Genre Arctic Art, the project emphasizes the importance of political and pedagogical art in promoting sustainability and redefining human relationships with the environment.ennallistamismenetelmiä.

Initiated and coordinated by artists Birgitta Linhart (SE) and Maria Huhmarniemi (FI), in collaboration with gallerist Anja Kath Lande, ecologist Rannveig Margrete Jacobsen, and National Park manager Johan Rova, the project also includes invited artists like art-sci collective Mette Gårdvik – Karin Stoll – Wenche Sørmo (NO), photographer and graphic designer Laila Ingvaldsen (NO), photographer Esa Pekka Isomursu (FI), comic book artist Johannes Pekonen (FI), and performance artist Tommi Yläjoki (FI).

Exhibitions

Exhibition posters

News

The Observation of Change exhibition is on display at Havremagasinet

Collaboration between Art and Science in Forest Nature Restoration Project

Publications

Observation of Change as a New Genre Arctic Art

Huhmarniemi, M., & Lande, A. K. (2025). Observation of Change as a New Genre Arctic Art. In A. Sohns (Ed.), Artistic Dialogues with the Arctic North: Environmental Change and Identity in Transition (pp. 13-26). Routledge.

Observation of Change

Huhmarniemi, M. (2024). Observation of Change. In T. Jokela, A. Manninen, & P. Berliner (Eds.), Mapping the New Genre Arctic Art Education (pp. 126–129). Lapin yliopisto. https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2024120599977

Observation of change in pedagogical performance

Yläjoki, T., & Huhmarniemi, M. (2025). Observation of change in pedagogical performance. International Journal of Education through Art, 21(2), 321-331. https://doi.org/10.1386/eta_00203_7

In collaboration


Institutional partners of the project include the Adde Zetterquist Art Gallery, Nordland National Park Centre, Midtre Nordland nasjonalparkstyre, the Norwegian Institute of Nature Research (NINA), the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, the University of Lapland, Nord University, and the Arctic Sustainable Arts and Design network. The exhibition is supported by the Nordic Culture Fund.