"Dilemma" presents works by contemporary artists who actualize how nature and man stand in a relationship of dependence on each other.

As a representation of these contemporary artist’s concerns, this exhibition demonstrates the strong urge to engage with issues relating to humans’ presence in the world. The artists represented here, Sami and Norwegian, problematize in different ways the multiple challenges that we face today, particularly when it comes to our environment, ecological breakdown and climate emergency. Now, as perhaps never before, as these works highlight, we need to respect ‘nature’, we need to respect all life, human and non-human. These artists point out that ‘nature’ and humans are co-dependent. The implications are clear. Existing dominant social structures must be abolished, must be transcended. Indigenous knowledges and decolonial perspectives are essential. The acceleration of the profit system – capitalism – which precisely profits through its exploitation of human and non-human life, must be challenged. In these artists’ art, we can recognize impatience for change and frustration that humanity has put itself in the dilemma between the, on the one hand, hyper economic prosperity, and on the other, respectful consideration for life on earth – and the other forms of prosperity or good-living that such respect entails.

«Dilemma» celebrates the launch of Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum’s long-term collaboration of exhibitions in Nordover, art center in Longyearbyen. The exhibition showcases works that have recently been added to the Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum's collection and will be accompanied by a series of artist-led workshops.

Present in the exhibition:

Marianne Bjørnmyr, Tanya Busse, Tomas Colbengtson, Kåre Grundvåg, Gunvor Guttorm, Olav Christopher Jenssen, Marit Landsend, Åsne Kummeneje Mellem, Inger-Anne Nyaas, Jet Pasqua, Synnøve Persen and Silje Figenschou Thoresen

Curator for this exhibition is Lise Dahl and mediator is Astrid Rotvold Nilsen.