Haukur Haflidi Ninuson - Betula Seasons

The project Betula Seasons showcases the Downy Birch tree of Iceland transitioning throughout all four seasons. The idea was born from a geographical approach about how important this particular species of tree is to Iceland both historically, culturally and environmentally. The Betula pubescens is the only native tree in Iceland that can form natural forests, usually characterized by high biodiversity and productivity. Sources have indicated that the tree was the backbone of peoples lives during the settlement as it was used for building material for all sorts of craft. Today this is generally considered to be an unsustainable extract of a fragile natural resource but one can´t help to wonder if the history and cultural heritage of Iceland would be the same if it were not for these actions. Throughout the years, forestry in Iceland has shifted between using the Birch or other foreign species that behave differently in the Icelandic soil. This has been a subject of debate between people as the Birch is considered to play a key role in servicing the fragile ecosystems of the Icelandic tundra in the most natural way, causing less harm than species such as pine trees, which have been shown f.x. to have acidic effect on the volcanic soil of the Icelandic ecosystems despite their impressive soil binding abilities. Forestry and soil recovery in Iceland is therefore a subject of debate as different species have their own character and effect on the ecosystem can vary greatly. The exhibition premiered on the 26th of january 2021 in the Flæði gallery in Vesturgata 17 in Reykjavík, followed by Núllið gallery on the 13th of March 2021. The exhibition concluded with a set up at the Reykjavík Museum of Photography from the 4th of february - 3rd of april 2022.