About the exhibition
We are surrounded by the ocean, and we are made of water. Every day many people move to coastal cities, but do we understand our connection to the sea? With this exhibition, we want to make people think about something that has fascinated humans for a long time.
We started by asking: How did our ancestors view the sea and how did they imagine their future in it? This led us to the theme of Past Futures, and we named the exhibition Living with the Ocean.
Our aim was to create an exhibition for everyone. At the same time we want to inspire young people about work and careers related to the ocean. We use the sea as a metaphor for challenges and opportunities humans face today. We explore these aspects through different images and questions related to the sea. These questions are grouped into five main themes: myths, challenges, technology, food, relations.
You are invited you to draw your own ideas about the future on a white canvas, or send them to us in any type of media. Everything is possible!
We are surrounded by the ocean, and we are made of water. Every day many people move to coastal cities, but do we understand our connection to the sea? With this exhibition, we want to make people think about something that has fascinated humans for a long time.
We started by asking: How did our ancestors view the sea and how did they imagine their future in it? This led us to the theme of Past Futures, and we named the exhibition Living with the Ocean.
Our aim was to create an exhibition for everyone. At the same time we want to inspire young people about work and careers related to the ocean. We use the sea as a metaphor for challenges and opportunities humans face today. We explore these aspects through different images and questions related to the sea. These questions are grouped into five main themes: myths, challenges, technology, food, relations.
You are invited you to draw your own ideas about the future on a white canvas, or send them to us in any type of media. Everything is possible!
How did we create the exhibition?
In the exhibition Living with the Ocean you find sets of images, each paired with a thought provoking question. Our goal is to engage in various themes and encourage to reflect on what you see. Many people has been involved in the selection of these themes, images, questions and design.
You will find images from different regions of the global ocean. Perhaps you will discover that the regions have more in common than you thought? The exhibition was first shown in Sesimbra, Portugal, before it was traveling to Harstad, Northern Norway – two European regions rich in maritime culture. From there it travelled to other places in Europe and beyond. The selection varies in each new location according to what is relevant for each community. The sets are available online and can be downloaded from anywhere.
On the occasion of Arctic Frontiers 2026, the collection has been expanded with contributions from students who participated in the Arctic Future Pathfinders course 2025 and researchers from UiT’s Center for Arctic Humanities.
In the exhibition Living with the Ocean you find sets of images, each paired with a thought provoking question. Our goal is to engage in various themes and encourage to reflect on what you see. Many people has been involved in the selection of these themes, images, questions and design.
You will find images from different regions of the global ocean. Perhaps you will discover that the regions have more in common than you thought? The exhibition was first shown in Sesimbra, Portugal, before it was traveling to Harstad, Northern Norway – two European regions rich in maritime culture. From there it travelled to other places in Europe and beyond. The selection varies in each new location according to what is relevant for each community. The sets are available online and can be downloaded from anywhere.
On the occasion of Arctic Frontiers 2026, the collection has been expanded with contributions from students who participated in the Arctic Future Pathfinders course 2025 and researchers from UiT’s Center for Arctic Humanities.
