Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

‘Sacred Landscapes – Fragile Earth’  

Outline
Introduction:- Scientists inform us that the world today is in the midst of significant climate change and people all over the Globe faces challengeable and behavioural change in our consumer behaviour now and in the future. As the saying goes scientist discover and Artists Interpret. My objective as an artist is to inform and interpret through my sketch book, journals and a body of work using my preferred media of water based pigments and Oil painting on paper and canvas. My goal as an exploration and expedition artist is to carry on visiting some of these remote areas especially those that have a geological polar eco make – up and record these using any necessary means to achieve my artistic objectives. Location:- I have been painting remote and wild landscapes for six years initially starting in the Sahara Desert and during the past three years this has shifted towards Landscapes that have a Polar connections. In the last three years I have visited and worked in the Landscape of Iceland, Arctic Norway, and Greenland where I spent 6 weeks during 2006. These places already feature in the body of work that I have produced and showed in exhibitions. I shall be pursuing further collaboration with scientist and artists, working along side them to interpret these locations and depict them from an artistic view point. During 2008 I shall be artist in residence at Upernavik Museum in Greenland for the duration of 5 weeks, and I shall apply for further ‘artist in residence’ to visit the following places, Antarctica, Canadian Arctic, Alaska, and Arctic Norway. My method of working is through Plien Air painting, digital journals and sketch books, enabling me to create body of work for exhibitions to show at different venues. A number of the paintings will be produced on canvases as large as 400cm x 200cm These will go in Galleries or Museums. My aim is to marry science with art, to contributing to historical record of remote Landscapes, and to reach new audiences beyond the norm of scientific or art community.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The theme ‘Sacred Landscapes – Fragile Earth’ will access audiences not reached by scientific bodies or communities, as the images and art work will portray a visual reference for remote and wild landscapes that have a profound ecological affect on the geological landscape and climate both local and Global. My work is to interpret the latter and to compliment scientific methods and projects to develop large scale art that will create an awareness of some of these landscapes especially the Polar Landscapes and to have these recorded for future generations.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
I have visited some remote areas where I was a voluntary artist in residence in the town of Ittoorooqiimit, and I shall visit Upernavik Museum as the official artist in residence during August 2008. This is by invitation of the Upernavik Museum curator. During this period the emphasis shall be on the landscapes, the people, wild life, and the midnight sun. I am also applying to join other projects and artistic assignments with BAS during 2008, and assignments in Canada and Alaska.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
I have spent a considerable amount of time in the Arctic observing and studying the landscape, sea, and Ice. During 2008 I shall be artist in residence in Upernavik Museum other projects are still in the negotiating process. Once a decision has been reached I visit the location to trek and live there for a short time. This helps me to collate as much information to use in the studio when developing further body of work. While on location I also create part of the portfolio Plein Air. This gives me a true feeling for the environment I will be depicting in my painting while in a studio environment.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 2008 – 2008      2010-2010      
Antarctic: 2009-2009      2010-2010      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Some logistics support/facilities will be shared with projects I join, however some other logistics will be commercially based resources. These will be applied from year to year.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No infrastructure will be left. However a body of work will be anticipated to be left to a Museum for future generations viewing. Also an amount of educational and outreach projects might be delivered to schools and collages.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No, however the launch of the exhibition after the completion of Artist in residence will be launched at the Scott Polar Research Institute. This has been agreed with the Scott Polar Research Institute. The exhibition will take place in February 2009 and after six weeks exhibition, I plan to take it on tour.

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?


‘Sacred Landscapes - Fragile Earth’ has been an ambition of mine for many years. It has been my dream to visit and witness some of these landscapes and to record this in my portfolio. Along the way I shall collaborate and interact with other artists to promote issues and debates the subject of climate change and Global warming and to witness this through the subject of art.

How will the project be organised and managed?
This project will be managed by me the artist and as I am the sole proprietor of this artistic practise I shall prepare and paint during the exploration periods when out on location.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
I teach the subject of art in a secondary school and in a college which gives me the opportunity to add extra time to the curriculum or to lecture on the subject. I would like to deliver workshops and lectures about this subject to audiences of all ages regardless race or culture and reach new audiences that do not have an interest in the subject.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
My art work will be digitally archived and for viewing on my website. Interested parties and organisations may contact me for images to include in lessons or lectures or for publicity. My website will be updated at regular intervals. Any up to date information can be relayed to Institutions or organisations and I will be available for comments debates and a number of workshops and lectures.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
My project is funded through Art sales and in applying for grants from the Arts Council of England, The British Council, and Geography and Arts societies and from sponsorship.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Charles (Carmelo) Bezzina
Sacred Landscapes – Fragile Earth’
31 Torrington Crescent. Wellingborough. Northants
NN8 5BX
UK

Tel: 01933-380858
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation