Adaptation

Adaptation has long been understood as biological or cultural adaptation to changes in the environment and the prevailing forces, or as a means of coping with difficult situations. But what could adaptation be instead of simply submitting to the situation? What if adaptation were a wild rebellion?

In the exhibition curated and produced by Photo North – Northern Photographic Centre, adaptation means active agency that challenges the familiar narratives that tell people to survive and accept their fate. Who or what should adapt: humans or nature? Who dictates the terms? What if it meant a new way of life?

The artists featured in the exhibition are:

Matti Aikio
Erich Berger
Michele Boulogne
Elina Bry
Jaakko Myyri
Arttu Nieminen
Maija Tammi

The exhibition’s curatorial team consists of Chief Curator Antti Tenetz and Curators Taija Jyrkäs and Darja Zaitsev from Photo North – The Northern Photographic Centre.

Based in Oulu, Photo North – Northern Photographic Centre is the only expert organisation in Northern Finland focusing on contemporary photographic art. Photo North’s mission is to strengthen the status of photographic art and photographers at local, national and international levels. At the heart of its activities is identifying and anticipating new forms and content in photography.

The exhibition has been created in collaboration with the Oulanka Research Station (University of Oulu), Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory (University of Oulu), KulttuuriKauppila Ii, Project Atol, Street Level Photoworks and Oulu Art Museum.

It has received funding from the Oulu Cultural Foundation and a state grant from the Finnish Heritage Agency. It is also a follow-up to the More-than-Planet project funded by Creative Europe.

Oulu is the European Capital of Culture in 2026. Adaptation is part of the Oulu2026 cultural program and cultural climate change.