Mare Incognitium (2008/2009)
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| 6,25 m x 1,85 m, acrylic on canvas. POLART 09, Tromsø Kunstforening. |
Mare Incognitum (Latin for “unknown sea”), was a term used by cartographers for unknown areas. The expression disappeared in the 19th Century due to the assumption that all continental coastlines and inland were entirely explored. During Nilsen’s two week long trip to the Arctic island of Jan Mayen and Greenland Ice Sheet, she was surprised to learn how little we actually know about this peculiar and extensive environment. In the preliminary studies to her works she looked into how these areas were described and depicted in the past by e.g. Johannes Schefferus’ Lapponia (1673), Hans Lilienskiold’s Speculum Boreale (1700), by geographer Pytheas Thule’s reports, Olaus Magnus’ Carta Marina (1539) and other seafarers and adventurers searching for new land and utopias. |
PolArt 09 is the second exhibition in the unique cooperation between the scientist network Arctos/Young Scientist Forum, Troms County Arts Centre and Tromsø Gallery of Contemporary Art. Artist participating in POLART 09: Eirin Støen, Maja Nilsen, Märit Aronsson and Rita Leppiniemi. links: ARCTOS NETWORK / Norwegian Polar Institute |
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| MS Jan Mayen on its way into Vesterisen / the Greenland Sea |
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| Top of Beerenberg / Jan Mayen. |
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| Beerenberg, Jan Mayen 70°59′N 8°32′W. Beerenberg is a 2.277m stratovolcano which forms which forms the northeastern end of the Norwegain island Jan Mayen. Its the worlds northernmost subaerial active volcano. |
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