About this talk
Our connection to nature – and to the world around us – is difficult to measure. Yet, it is being documented in marvelous ways by Nordic Nature Artists Karoline Hjorth and Riitta Ikonen. Long time collaborators, Karoline and Riitta use their art to capture narratives around how humans participate in and communicate with their surroundings. Traveling the globe, they meet local collaborators and collectively create immersive art that captures modern human relationships to nature. Whether built with pine needles, carnivorous plants, or otherwise, these immersive portraits capture the balance between human life and the climate that surrounds us.
There is a beautiful harmony that exists between humans and nature. See how it’s captured by watching Riitta and Karoline in their 2020 TEDMED Talk “Nature, folklore and serendipitous photo collaborations”.
About Karoline Hjorth and Riitta Ikonen .
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Karoline Hjorth and Riitta Ikonen are a Norwegian-Finnish artist duo known for their collaborative photography project, “Eyes as Big as Plates.” Started in 2011, their work initially explored Nordic folklore and the personification of nature. It has since expanded to a global scale, with the artists traveling to over 14 countries to create portraits of people in nature. The name of the project comes from a folk tale about a curious troll, which is fitting since curiosity is a key part of their process. In the series, Karoline and Riitta create unique portraits where their subjects are dressed in “wearable sculptures” made from materials found in their surroundings. The artists work together with the subjects, turning the process into a conversation about humanity’s connection to the environment. Part photography, part sculpture, and part performance, the project aims to redefine how both nature and older generations are viewed. Their work has been featured in major art institutions worldwide, including The Museum of Contemporary Arts Kiasma in Finland and The Chimney Gallery in New York City. The series has also led to a book that was nominated for the prestigious Paris Photo-Aperture Foundation Photobook Awards in 2017. Their ongoing collaboration continues to be a powerful exploration of our relationship with the world around us.
