Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Exhibition: Trapped in the Ice: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition  (Trapped in the Ice)

Outline
The Fundació Caixa Catalunya has co-produced this exhibition with the American Museum of Natural History of New York. This exhibition is based on the AMNH’s original display (The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition, curated by Caroline Alexander and Ross MacPhee), made up of the spectacular photographs taken by Frank Hurley—the most complete collection ever gathered together—of the famous expedition, together with other documentary material. Of equal significance to Fundació Caixa Catalunya is the collaboration of Professor Jerónimo López, from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, with whom we have developed an ambitious extension of all the material related to the Antarctic from a current and scientific point of view. The exhibition employs modern, up-to-date methods to present a wide range of educational material (interactive and mechanical activities, projections, audiovisual productions, models, etc.) and scientific information intended to give visitors insights into the reality of Antarctica and to raise awareness of its importance for scientific research. This additional material runs parallel to the story of Shackleton’s adventure and takes visitors back and forth between the expedition and the context in which it took place. The aim of this exhibition is to show the present and the future of the continent, with data that give an overview of its geographical, geological, historical, ecological and climatic importance. We have sought to explore in greater depth the content on Antarctic with the most potential from a scientific and educational point of view, emphasising the fact that it is a model and in some ways a symbol of the importance and the advantages of international harmony and co-operation, as well as environmental preservation. One of the features of the exhibition is a comprehensive consultation area with computers offering guided access to the main resources about Antarctica on the Web. One of these computers is entirely dedicated to information on International Polar Year 2007-2008. The exhibition opened in the Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe in Valencia on 3 May 2006 and will be held in Jerez de la Frontera on 22 September 2006. Then, it will tour other venues in places of noted importance and prestige, among them science museums, cultural centres and heritage buildings in the major cities in Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Seville and Palma de Mallorca. The exhibition and its associated activities will be organised and sponsored by the Fundació Caixa Catalunya in each of these tour venues. Other educational activities that will be held as part of the exhibition include a series of lectures, led in all instances by Professor Jerónimo López, and the screening of films and documentaries on Antarctic expeditions and other issues of interest related to the continent today. Numerous other educational activities, workshops and teaching materials can be downloaded from the Fundació Caixa Catalunya’s Web site (www.fundaciocaixacatalunya.org), aimed at pupils and students in primary, secondary and higher education, as well as teachers.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Because International Polar Year will be celebrated in 2007-08, it has been considered appropriate to provide Shackleton’s adventure with new content related to the Antarctic that is both educational and informative in character. Based on AMNH’s exhibition, this extension of their original display has been based on a second narrative that is scientific in nature and describes some of the idiosyncratic features of the continent (its geographical location, climate, biology, history and politics), providing the Antarctic with a key role in terms of the Earth’s climatic behaviour and as a space for international cooperation.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The Fundació Caixa Catalunya has co-produced the above-mentioned exhibition with the American Museum of Natural History of New York.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The exhibition have extensive information of the Antarctica continent and its oceanic area, and will tour in places of noted importance and prestige, among them science museums, cultural centres and heritage buildings in the major cities in Spain

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?

How will the project be organised and managed?
The exhibition and its associated activities will be organised and sponsored by the Fundació Caixa Catalunya. In each of the tour venues the exhibition will rely on the collaboration of public institutions and government. The Coordination of this project (exhibition and activities) is lead by Art in Project.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The exhibition and its associated activities will be organised and sponsored by the Fundació Caixa Catalunya in each of these tour venues. As a Foundation, the aims of Fundació Caixa Catalunya are: To foster and develop culture. To promote and popularise artistic and scientific activities, to preserve and popularise the Gaudí heritage at the Casa Milà, La Pedrera, home of its Cultural Centre. To organise exhibitions and activities at La Pedrera. To organise travelling exhibitions and activities in the region where Caixa Catalunya has a presence. To co-operate with other cultural organisations and institutions sponsoring and supporting non-profitmaking organisations.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Damià Martinez
Fundació Caixa Catalunya
Provença 261-265
08008 Barcelona
Spain

Tel: +34 93 484 59 08
Mobile: no
Fax: +34 93 484 58 84
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation