By polar artist Lucinda Wilkinson
Mosaic of Antarctica is a visual installation comprising of at least 30 glass maps showing detailed areas of the Antarctic ice sheets and sea ice, highlighting the changing patterns of ice in its accumulation and discharge due to environmental warming. In the production of this installation explored areas have been transcripted onto glass panels using imagery from Mosaic of Antarctica (Radarsat and Modis) and the new satellite data Landsat Image Mosaic of Antarctica (LIMA). This is the most detailed map produced yet from scientists at the national snow and ice data centre, Nasa and British Antarctic Survey, UK. Wilkins ice shelf Satellite Imagery has also been used — with the Envisat satellite image supplied by the European Space Agency.
The amazing visual imagery has been carved into the glass and constructed to create textural sculptural drawings which show the shifting currents and flow of ice and the subtle variations in its luminosity. Corresponding ambient lighting will show the varying tonal intensities of the ice, particularly blue ice and the changing patterns of the ice. The glass maps will form a walkway, presenting clues as to how and why Antarctica’s ice sheets and glaciers are changing due to climate change.
Mosaic of Antarctica is part of International Polar Year. In collaboration with this programme the installation will be exhibited both internally and externally at three prominent science centers in Scotland.
The Proposed Timetable for the touring exhibition is:
Sensation, Dundee: November 8 - January 31, 2009
Satrosphere, Aberdeen: February 2009 - April 2009
Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh: July 2009 - September 2009
The artwork is a one off unique visual recording of environmental warming occurring in the Antarctic which will be illuminated to the general public and visitors to the science centres documenting and commemorating the scientific work undertaken during IPY by scientists.
Acknowledgements:
Technical support and collaboration for Mosaic of Antarctica:
Siobhan Healy, Collaborating Glass Artist, assistance with fabrication of glass panels for installation and some investigative test pieces prior to the start of the project.
John Devine, Managing Director, Independent ig Glass
Peter Harkins, Independent ig Glass
Photography of artwork:
Denise Noon
Help with Satellite Data:
Andrew Fleming, Remote Sensing Manager, British Antarctic Survey
Fabrication of stands for glass panels:
Russell Lamb
Sponsors For Mosaic of Antarctica:
Independent ig Glass have provided sponsorship in kind to the value of £7,380. This has included the provision of all glass panels, preparation and transportation. Screen printing in the factory essential to the art process and technical support, collaboration throughout all stages of the project.
This in kind sponsorship released a matching grant from Arts and Business Scotland New Arts Sponsorship Award, a Scottish government programme incentivising private investment in the Arts.
Sensation Science Centre Dundee, for launching Mosaic of Antarctica and hosting the exhibition for 3 months.