Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Portraits of Ice: Witnessing Climate Change through Art  (Portraits of Ice)

Outline
Introduction: The world today is in the midst of significant climate change. Ice and its environments are particularly vulnerable and scientific studies find glaciers around the world retreating and polar pack ice receding at a rapid rate. My goal as an expeditionary artist is to witness and record these changes, working in the tradition of Emily Carr in British Columbia and Edward Wilson in Antarctica. Through art, I am resolved to raise awareness and appreciation for the role of polar and glaciated regions in the global environment. Location: I am painting ice around the world, working in the field with scientists and local communities to understand the impact of climate change. My portfolio and fieldwork includes Antarctica, Greenland, and SE Alaska. For the summer of 2007, scientists have invited me to join their glacier monitoring projects in the North Cascade Mountains, home to over 300 glaciers, the largest concentration of ice in the lower 48 United States. I am pursuing collaboration with international scientists for the 2008 field season and applying for artist-in-residency opportunities in the Arctic and Antarctica. Method: In the field I work with ink, watercolor and gouache media on a variety of papers and take photographs for future reference. When conditions are too windy or cold for long studies, I use a fast shorthand style of sketching that can later be detailed and developed under shelter. For each drawing and sketch, I record longitude and latitude with my GPS and study the scientific research relevant to the region. My field art serves as inspiration for studio paintings with watercolor on paper and oil on canvas. Impact: Home in my studio, I develop my fieldwork to share with the public through galleries, educational programs, and publications. I envision creating a body of work that integrates science with art, contributes to the historical record of ice, and may reach audiences beyond the scientific community.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
"Portraits of Ice" may access audiences not otherwise reached by the scientific community. The images offer visual references for ice and encourage art as a means to observe and understand natural systems, complimenting scientific methods. The field paintings and developed studio art will contribute to awareness of polar and glaciated regions and the historical record of ice.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
I maintain contact with Greenland, where I was artist-in-residence with the Upernavik Museum and a National Science Foundation sponsored visiting artist to the Greenland Icesheet. I am applying to join projects in 2008 in Greenland, Canada, and Antarctica.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Summer 2007 I plan to paint glaciers in the North Cascade Mountains in collaboration with scientific monitoring projects. I am seeking field work for 2008 in either the Arctic or Antarctica. "Portraits of Ice" also includes the continued development of my previous field work from Antarctica, Greenland, and SE Alaska in my studio, located in Seattle, WA.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/08 – 08/08            
Antarctic: 01/08 – 02/08            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Not applicable: resources such as transport and field camps will be shared with projects I join.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
National agency
Military support
Commercial operator
Other sources of support

In 2005, the 109th Division of the US Airguard provided me with transport from Greenland to New York. If relevant to my work, I will request transport. In 2006, I travelled to Antarctica on an icebreaker as artist-in-residence with Quark Expeditions, a polar cruise company and I am applying to accompany them again in 2008. I am also applying for the National Science Foundation Antarctic Artist-in-Residence program and proposing collaboration with IPY endorsed groups such as Tara Expeditions that provide their own support.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No - I am in pursuit of international exhibiting opportunities in countries such as Greenland, Denmark, Canada, and the United States.

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?


"Portraits of Ice" is my lifetime ambition to witness and paint the changing polar and glaciated regions around the world. The project began in 2003 when I worked on the Juneau Icefield is SE Alaska as artist-in-residence with the Juneau Icefield Research Program. I am discovering other polar artists within the recently organized Polar Artist Group and plan to join for future collaboration.

How will the project be organised and managed?
"Portraits of Ice" is self-managed. As an expeditionary artist, I am the sole proprietor of the business "Expeditionary Art" and pursue my work full-time. Field artwork and studio paintings are catalogued and presented on the website: www.expeditionaryart.com Work is presented in art galleries and through public presentations and workshops. I collaborate with non-profit and educational organizations such as the North Cascades Institute (www.ncascades.org) and school programs.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Fieldwork is first available on my website: www.expeditionaryart.com. My growing mailing list currently has 500 people from around the world and my website averages 25 page loads per day. I am pursuing more web traffic and linking to relevant sites. I have already displayed my artwork within the public, educational context (such as during a talk by Elizabeth Kolbert on climate change in Seattle, Dec. 06) and have pending lectures and displays with local school districts and the University of Washington Polar Science Center. This June I will also be an instructor with the North Cascades Institute for an outdoor creative arts retreat. My work continues and I am seeking greater audiences.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
My artwork is digitally archived and available to view on my website. Interested parties may contact me for high-resolution images to include in lectures or for illustration. As my website is updated, I notify my mailing list and network within the polar research community.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
"Portraits of Ice" is funded through art sales and grants. In Spring 2007 I am applying for grants from Washington State and the National Geographic as well as sponsorships.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
It is my privilege to paint in both Antarctica and the Arctic and I feel a social responsibility to raise awareness and appreciation for the regions. Affiliation with IPY as a recognized project will facilitate my collaborating with other polar researchers and the dissemination of my work.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Expeditionary Artist Maria Coryell-Martin
Expeditionary Art
5217 NE 43rd St.
Seattle, WA
98105-4914
USA

Tel: (206) 708 9405
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation