The Atlantic Ocean: Myths, Art and Science

A delightful and informative romp through five centuries of cultural, historical and visual discourse surrounding the North Atlantic Ocean

The cold, dark waters of the North Atlantic Ocean have served as a stage for both real and imagined histories. Mirroring the flow of this vast expanse, The Atlantic Ocean highlights the continued coexistence of species, cultures and stories. Romantic paintings of stormy seas and shipwrecks by Turner and Constable are interspersed with more modern outlooks from Munch and Bergman. Historical maps are interlaced with contemporary works, including Allan Sekula’s seminal photographic documentation of globalized trade in Fish Story (1988-95) and video installations by artists such as Joar Nango, featuring a projection screen constructed of halibut stomachs, the artist’s modern interpretation of the older Sea-Sámi practice of constructing windows of this material. The corresponding catalog explores the myths and realities of the Atlantic in visual culture, from the myth of Atlantis to the queer allure of sailor suits and the skills and traditions of contemporary Indigenous tribes.