Outdoors by the art project Skog vil seia samfunn, poet Kristin Berget will read from her latest collections of poetry, followed by a presentation at Fyrrommet by ecologist and biologist Hanif Kawousi.
Kawousi will discuss why, and how, we measure the value of nature. Questions like these are becoming increasingly important in light of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and other international agreements Norway has entered into. Meanwhile, natural areas are quickly disappearing in favour of development projects. From 2026 Norway must report to the EU on its natural assets through a national accounting scheme. This includes an overview of natural areas and resources, the condition they are in and their value to people. Municipalities manage most of our natural areas but are nevertheless often caught between the need for development and protection, and lack both the resources and knowledge to make good decisions on nature’s behalf. What is needed for us to be able to protect, restore and live with nature – and not at nature’s expense?
Skog vil seia samfunn is a long-term project by Volt and the artist Randi Nygård, installed at Kronstad in Bergen, next to the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.
Skog vil seia samfunn, which is planted on a slope in the university grounds, consists of four steps leading up to a clearing, at the centre of which sits a round river stone. Installed on top of the stone is an organic bronze sculpture. The clearing is paved so that visitors can walk around the sculpture. In time, once the forest has grown, people will be able to ascend the steps and view the artwork in the midst of the trees.
For the duration of the project, a programme of thematically related public events will be held with participants from a range of fields, including art, biology, cultural science and philosophy.
Skog vil seia samfunn is inspired by Japanese ecologist and botanist Akira Miyawaki’s concept of planting a variety of native tree specimens close together to create mini forests in urban spaces. Also known as ‘pocket forests’, these micro-habitats purify the air, reduce noise, bind carbon and attract a rich diversity of wildlife and insects.
