
Adaptation, time is not on our side
Who or what should adapt: humans or nature? This project reclaims the
narrative of adaptation, challenging acceptance and advocating for active agency. Through artworks and exhibitions, it seeks to empower individuals to shape environments.
Adaptation explores how ecological, societal, cultural, and technological
changes emerge in the North and reflect global change. Through a fusion of art, science, and local tacit knowledge, as well as other-than-human knowledge, with emerging technologies the project seeks to redefine adaptation for individual, communities and the environment in the face of inevitable change. We need to reboot our thinking and actions. Activities include workshops involving artists, scientists, and thinkers, artist residencies, and community work that foster dialogue and collaboration with audiences from children to decision-makers, culminating in a main exhibition at the Oulu Art Museum from Autumn 2026.
Our impact to Culture-
climate change
The project combines activities based on art, research, local knowledge and the other-than-human realm, asking fundamental questions, how nature works. Is there a possibility to envision new horizons and materialities that challenge authoritarian uses of nature—where land is viewed as a resource or subject to ownership? The project encourages us to become better stewards of life and the environment. These explorations seek a deeper understanding of how humans and ecosystems relate, moving to future where coexistence, respect, caretaking, and shared responsibility become guiding princip
When and where
Organisers
Photo North, Oulanka Research Station of the University of Oulu, the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory of the University of Oulu, the KulttuuriKauppila Art Center, Street Level Photoworks, the Oulu Art Museum, Waag Society and Project Atol