24.05.24 - 26.05.24
GEOLOGY COURSE at Velferden
with Tom Heldal
As part of the WASTE / DEPOSIT programme, Velferden arranged a theoretical and practical course in geology, led by one of Norway's foremost geologists, Tom Heldal (NGU).
Would you like to dive into the world of geology with Velferden and learn the basics of how the earth is built, how mountains grow, change and what they are made of? In this course, we will learn how to read the landscape in new ways, based on a deep geological understanding of nature. The course is offered to professional artists in all disciplines. Come and join the course and learn brand new things about the landscape we are part of! The course consists of theory, excursions and discovery in local geology, shared meals and discussion.
© Hans Edward Hammonds
::::::: CONTENT:::::::
What is geology?
Geology as materials, processes and perception.
Earth system.
Geology vocabulary, grammar and geometry.
The geology of materialism; human use of geological resources.
Geology in art and cultural history.
Tricks, sources and techniques to answer questions and learn more.
The course was arranged with generous support from the Norwegian Directorate for Culture and the Norwegian Geological Survey.
© Hans Edward Hammonds
:::::::MORE ABOUT TOM HELDAL:::::::
Tom Heldal is a geologist and researcher at the Norwegian Geological Survey (NGU) in Trondheim, where he was also department director from 2010 to 2019. Tom Heldal graduated from the University of Bergen in 1987. His position at NGU has included assignments in the USA, Ireland, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey in addition to most of Norway. Read more about NGU here: https://www.ngu.no/
Tom Heldal is interested in interdisciplinary collaborations, and has worked together with archaeologists and ecologists investigating how geology affects art, architecture and culture. In 2022, Heldal was awarded the Norwegian Mining Association's highest honor, the Bergmannsstaven, with the following justification:
"This year's candidate is a pillar of the Norwegian mining industry and works in a part of the industry that evokes emotions in everyone. His work has taken him to all parts of the world, but we know him best for his extremely good local knowledge. Tom Heldal acts as an open and infinite encyclopedia, and therefore becomes a natural "reference book" for anyone with questions in the field. He always takes the time to give a proper answer to whatever comes his way, and in the unlikely event that there is something he can't answer on the spot, it doesn't take him long to figure it out."
:::::::MORE ABOUT WELFARE:::::::
Velferden is an artist-run arena for interdisciplinary investigation of the relationship between man and nature. Velferden is located in Norway's largest mining municipality Sokndal, at the very bottom of Rogaland. Velferden curates working residencies for artists and professionals from all over the world, and hosts exhibitions, concerts, festivals and seminars. We also provide art productions, expertise and advice through our programme Velferden UTE.
Velferden's programme is WASTE / DEPOSIT, which looks at current issues related to the disposal and management of mining waste as an artistic material and social resource. By having a vantage point from inside Norway's largest mining municipality, Velferden has the opportunity to study the consequences and potential of the degradation of nature at close range, which in turn provides synergies for understanding similar development processes elsewhere in the world.
To date, the programme includes more than 40 participants from various artistic disciplines, researchers, representatives from the mining industry and local and national audiences. The program is relational and promotes dialogue and exchange. It consists of site visits, residencies, seminars, courses and exhibitions etc. Read more here: www.velferdenscene.com
::::::: MORE ABOUT SOKNDAL:::::::
Sokndal Municipality is located in Magma Unesco Global Geopark, a unique mountain area characterized by a type of rock that was formed deep underground almost 1 billion years ago.
Read more here: https://magmageopark.no/