1. Learning from the past
An exhibition celebrating early Icelandic society and its prowess in sailing and navigating the seas. It reveals how the landscape shaped — and was shaped by — people’s lives over a millennium.
Content and themes:
- The discovery of Iceland, following the epic sea journey of Gardar, Nattfari and others from Sweden.
- The lifestyle, technology and navigational skills of early Vikings.
- The early colonization and settlement of Iceland and the lasting effects it had on the land.
- Linking the surrounding archaeological destinations to the central themes of the Gardarsholm Project centre.
Educational outcomes:
- Celebrating the pioneering and courageous spirit of Gardar and his fellow Vikings.
- Strengthening pride in Iceland’s past and preserving the traditions of its coastal heritage.
- Understanding what it was like to be an early settler and why they made the choices they did.
- Establishing the concept of ‘culture shaping the landscape’ by linking the actions of early settlers to the environment we see today.
2. Engaging with Iceland today
A centre for the exchange of knowledge and the discussion of ideas, highlighting the relevance and similarity of Iceland’s plight to the world.
Content and themes:
- A forum for lectures, debates and workshops.
- A centre for the engagement and discussion of Iceland’s most pressing issues.
- On-hand information describing relevant global environmental issues.
- Live data feeds monitoring research and displaying relevant news.
Educational outcomes:
- Realising that Iceland’s problems are shared worldwide.
- Being inspired in the knowledge that people around the world are striving to overcome similar challenges.
- Understanding that there is not one version of history nor one view of the present.
3. Reading the landscape
The Project sees Husavik’s landscape as a ‘live laboratory’ — one that reveals the effects of past actions and the successes of today’s projects. It also guides visitors to some of Iceland’s most stunning natural features.
Content and themes:
- Positioning the landscape as the most important component of the Gardarsholm Project’s exhibition.
- Hosting outdoor participatory projects, such as tree-planting and monitoring the flora and fauna.
- Giving visitors the tools with which to read the landscape and encouraging them to explore it.
- Linking the surrounding destinations to the central themes of the Gardarsholm Project centre.
Educational outcomes:
- Understanding through experience the processes that form the landscape.
- Feeling impelled to participate in regeneration projects.
- Challenging visitors’ preconceptions about Iceland’s natural environment.
4. Focusing on a sustainable future
Understand how the choices you make today will impact upon your future.
Content and themes:
- To provide the facilities to see the consequences of your actions.
- To show the power of collective action over individual self-interest.
- To place visitors in the role of key decision-makers.
Educational outcomes:
- Understand that there are many possible futures and it is up to us to take action to bring about the one we want to see.
- Conclude that our lives in the future are intimately connected with the environmental issues of today.
- Understand the concept of sustainability and how it urgently applies to Iceland’s future.
