The Gardens at Roahtoviiknjárga

The planned electrification of the Norwegian oil and natural gas industry caters for unprecedented wind energy and infrastructural development coastal mountain areas. Based on media records, government documents on energy development politics, map analysis of reindeer migration routes, seasonal pastures, and cultural heritage sites in the Nordkinn peninsula/Čorgašnjárga in North Norway, this project touches on major dilemmas in the transition to a carbon emission free society. Analytical diagrams demonstrate understanding and visualize the time-space dynamics of Sami reindeer husbandry as well as the planning and operation timespan of several proposed and operating wind industry projects. In managing landscapes, the municipalities face several conflicting responsibilities in safeguarding Sámi reindeer husbandry, protecting important culture heritage areas, hosting wind energy development, and the upgrading of a weak electric energy grid. Wind power concessions are granted for 25-30 years, due to the endurance of the wind turbines. When the concession period is over, either the wind power plant is renewed for a new concession period, or the areas are supposed to be restored to its “original” state. Discussing the afterlife Kjøllefjord windfarm in reindeer grazing district 9 Olggut Čorgaš/Oarje-Deatnu, this project asks how rehabilitation strategies can incorporate dislocated or lost landscape practices in the design solutions. Inspired from ancient stone works at nearby cultural heritage sites, the project transforms the installation spaces and materials to a series of gardens with pasture plant species that over time reclaim the landscape.