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In visual representations, oceans are often shown as blue, empty fields or voids. Ocean Connections aims to instil these unseen spaces with stories and movement, to discover a kinship to life in the oceans.
The project investigates processes within ecosystems which are influenced by ocean flows. Whilst focusing specifically on the Oslofjord environment in Norway, the title Ocean Connections points to interconnectedness of all oceans. We cannot really tell where the Oslofjord ends, as it runs into Skagerrak and joins the North Sea which then flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Employing a combined means of storytelling, the work aims for an immersive, circular experience of biodiversity and ecological connections on a global scale.
The resulting artwork is a two-channel video installation, formulated and constructed from an experimental scientific and artistic dialogue and mode of collaboration, combining mathematical modelling, scientific data about ocean movements and ecological conditions, and artistic storytelling through animation and visuality.
The flow of the oceans influences many processes in ecosystems of the sea across the globe which affect all life forms in the sea. Ocean Connection is based on Kristin Bergaust’s artistic research project Oslofjord Ecologies. In collaboration with Guillermo García-Sánchez, Bergaust will investigate how mathematic modelling of sea currents can let us relate to the fjord and its living processes and lifeforms from perspectives not available to our human perceptions. Could we learn to use our senses to connect more deeply to the environment by employing knowledge and technology to experience what we can’t sense through art?
Ocean Connections website.
Ocean Connections is benefiting from the generous support of the European Commission's department on Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
With thanks to:
Eli Rinde PhD marine biologist, senior researcher
NIVA Norwegian Research institute for water and the environment. Conversations and exchange of information about the state of the Oslo fjord since 2016
Professor emeritus Lars Peter Røed, Norwegian Meteorological Institute for data on the Oslo fjord
Institute of Marine Research photographs of Phytoplankton
Lars Naustvoll Research Scientist for information about phytoplankton bloom
FeLT project of OsloMet- Oslo Metropolitan University
Oslofjord Ecologies- Boel Christensen-Scheel, Venke Aure, Rasa Smite RIXC and contributing artists
Oslofjord Triennial: Camilla Dahl, Vibeke Hermanrud, Linn Ulvin, Mari Lassen Kamsvaag, Sidsel Aas
Historical illustrations by Ernst Haeckel
Artist and landscape architect Elin T. Sørensen PhD
Ana María Mancho, Principal Investigator CSIC for pioneering the foundations of Lagrangian Descriptors
Instituto de Ciencias Matemáticas (ICMAT) for their support
Digital Earth Solutions S.L for their support
Joint Research Centre: Luc Feyen, Peter Salamon, Tom De Groeve, SciArt team, Big Data Analytics Platform. Nikos Kalligeris, Maria Kougioumtzi.
Kristin Bergaust is an artist, researcher and professor at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design in OsloMet. Guillermo García-Sánchez is a Scientist at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) at the Instituto de Ciencias Matemáticas (ICMAT) in the Applied Mathematics department. Kristin and Guillermo first met and connected at the @SciArt Summer School on the topic of NaturArchy which took place in June 2022 at the JRC. Since then they have continued their collaboration to formulate a project proposal, a collaboration which also included a visit by Guillermo to the Oslo fjord with Kristin.
04 Feb 2026 | 14 Jul 2026
