Announcing Lantern Lectures, a new series of dark season talks

This dark season we take inspiration from an age-old form of public event the Lantern Lecture – a form of diversion and education from the 1870s through the early 1900s. The magic lantern illustrated scientific lectures, entertainment, current events discussion, political campaigns, missionary fundraising, and humanitarian causes.

Hosted throughout the dark season, at different venues in Longyearbyen, Artica has invited artists, writers, scientists, archivists, conservators, trappers and recycling experts to share their knowledge with us and invite conversation.

The first in this series of six lectures will be hosted by current artist in residence, Ruth Maclennan an artist and researcher based in London and northern Scotland. During this evening lecture at Nordover, Ruth will present an overview of her practice followed by a film screening of A Forest Tale which was filmed in the Boreal forests of Arkhangelsk during a collaborative project with Arctic Art Institute and FVU in December 2021, funded by a British Council Creative Commission for Climate. It received its premiere at the Bodø Biennale, in 2022.

Ruth has been nominated by our key partner Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum for the residency at Artica and will be staying in Longyearbyen until mid-October. 

This event is free and takes place at Nordover arts centre, no booking required. (Talk presented in English)

See the What’s On page for the full list of talks. 

This series of lectures has been generously supported by Fritt Ord.