THE RECEDING “GEOGNOSTIC” HORIZON

Abstract

Contribution to seminar-series Snow- and Ice-Covered Alps, at the Norwegian National Library. The contribution discusses the relation between drawing and the site, where e.g. altitude-differences play a role. There are three variables in vertical perspective drawing: the sinking valley, the rising mountains and the vantage point. That is, not two but three variables.

The vantage point varies with high and low situations under hiking conditions, the retrospective framing and contact metaphors, both determining what we can know.

When the environment changes (e.g. the climate) the conditions for what we can know also change. The natural environment today therefore sets a set of different conditions than those prevailing at B.M. Keilhau & C.P.B. Boeck’s time: two young researchers who, along with the reindeer huntsman Ole Urden, embarked on a walk from Mount Mugna by Valdres to Falketind (in what was later to become Jotunheimen).

The question is whether the technological development can compensate for environmental change, or much is simply lost, on account of changes in an environment that we are part of. Maybe attempts of the type made here, with views of a mountain trip in 1820 can be of some avail. The intention is to contribute to the development of environmental humanities: practically, theoretically and methodologically.

The version is somewhat expanded from the one presented at the National Library during the 1-day seminar 24th March 2021: a) the slide-set includes an appendix; b) the manuscript includes a postface.

THE MATERIAL IS TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL PRESENTATION IN NORWEGIAN.

_______________ RELEVANT LINKS: MIRRORS #01-#06

https://khioda.khio.no/khio-xmlui/handle/11250/2737649

VERTICALITY #01-#06

https://khioda.khio.no/khio-xmlui/handle/11250/2737542

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SEMINAR PROGRAMMET: Snø og isdekte alper—Oppmåling, opptegning og kartlegging av fjellet 10.00 Snø og isdekte alper 1820-2021: Oppmåling, opptegning og kartlegging: Arthur Tennøe/Harald Østgaard Lund, Nasjonalbiblioteket 10.30 Is, tid og temporalisering: Jotunheimen som historie: Sverker Sörlin, Kungliga tekniska høgskolan. 11.00 Jens Esmark og naturens grenselinjer: Geir Hestmark, Universitetet i Oslo. 11.30 Christopher Hansteens reise i 1821 og studiet av jordas magnetisme: Vidar Enebakk. 12.00 Pause 12.30 Wilhelm Maximilian Carpelan. Det vitenskapelige og det kunstneriske blikket: Ingrid F. Danbolt 13.00 Periferiens kunnskapshistorie ved to av dem: Hertzberg og Kølle: Kristina Skåden, Maihaugen. 13.30 Kartlegging av Jotunheimen: Fra fantasi til satellitter: Anders Kvernberg, Nasjonalbiblioteket 14.00 Breens makt – ​Fotodokumentasjon mellom vitenskap og naturopplevelse: Stig Storheil, Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat 14.30 Den vikende «geognostiske» horisonten: Noen kritiske observasjoner omkring endringer i naturhorisonters plass i tegning og miljøportretter (m/basis i B.M. Keilhaus Erindring af fjeldreisen i 1820): Theodor Barth, Kunsthøgskolen i Oslo.