Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Erratics  (Erratics)

Outline
The publication of a book of poems, written by Rachel Hosein Nisbet and inspired by photographs taken by Gilbert Paquet during a canoeing tour of Disco Bay, Greenland. The publication will be entitled Erratics. The 40 paged, A5 sized book in landscape format features 11 full-page prints of Gilbert’s colour photographs, together with 11 of Rachel’s poems. In order to further raise awareness of Arctic environments, the publication will be accompanied by performance-poetry events created by Rachel and performed in the UK, Switzerland and France. Both Rachel and Gilbert have encountered arctic environments firsthand: Rachel was inspired to write a PhD in alpine glacial geochemistry, after an undergraduate field season in Spitzbergen, as part of the University of Glasgow Exploration Society. As a PhD qualified biologist, Gilbert’s interest in Arctic ecology led him to explore Spitzbergen both on foot and by sea kayak, and to explore Disco Bay by sea kayak. Subsequent to her PhD, Rachel began to develop her writing and performing skills, concomitantly becoming interested in ecocritcism. Ecocriticism explores “the relationship between literature and the physical environment…taking an earth-centred approach to literary studies”. Rachel therefore aims to subtly interweave scientific awareness and human sensibility into her poems and performances. Ecological terms such as: community dynamics; symbiosis; carbon flow; self-regulating system; equilibrium; predator-prey and co-existence are themes used to frame her poems. Social issues specific to the Artic, such as seal fishing are featured. Other poems draw analogies between the life cycles of grasses and those of humans. Natural features are given voice, using metaphor, or prosopopoeia: our frozen mother foundered, calving us out in pools of saltless tears The poems do not seek to be overtly ecologically didactic. Nevertheless they imply that human activities and imaginations have intimately links with the polar regions, which in turn play a pivotal role within the self-regulating system that is our Earth.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The Erratics project would fulfil part of the IPY’s objective of: Engag[ing] the awareness, interest and understanding of schoolchildren, the general public and decision-makers worldwide in the purpose and value of polar research and monitoring. It will do so by making their imaginations alive to this region. Erratics takes images of Arctic flora and fauna, and uses them as a jumping off point to consider both emotional and environmental processes.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Rachel Hosein Nisbet is a British National living in France. Gilbert Paquet is a Swiss National of German origin, living in Switzerland. We plan to distribute our book and perform in France, Switzerland and the UK.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Fieldwork has already been undertaken in Disco Bay, Greenland.

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
First and foremost, BAS endorsement including the possibility to use the IPY logo. Secondly, support with printing and the provision of UK performance venues would aid our project. The artistic approach used in the project could be extended to communicating the findings of other projects within an educational context. Especially given our scientific background

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The text itself together with documentation of the performances would serve as the legacy of this project.

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?
No - We are a small, self-funded structure.

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?
Yes

It is a new autonomous proposal. We aim to publish Erratics during the IPY and also plan to begin performances within this timeframe

How will the project be organised and managed?
Rachel Hosein Nisbet will oversee the publication and develop the accompanying performance with workshop based inputs from: Noah Pikes, international voice teacher and founder member of The Roy Hart Theatre Insitu: Cambridge Experimental Theatre (specifically their environmental theatre workshop in September 2007)

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Contacting bookshops and libraries in the UK, France and Switzerland about stocking Erratics and performing the poems in situ.

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?
At present the project is self-funded, but support from BAS or other appropriate funding agencies, for example the Calouste Gulbenkain Foundation, would be warmly welcomed.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Rachel Hosein Nisbet
70 Impasse du Puits
Cessy
01170
France

Tel: 0033 450 415231
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation