“Climate change is a reality. Caused by us all, it is a cultural, social and economic problem and must move beyond scientific debate… The Arctic is an extraordinary place to visit. It is a place in which to be inspired, a place which urges us to face up to what it is we stand to lose.” – David Buckland
‘Ice Texts’ by David Buckland is a thought-provoking photographic exhibition presented by the European Union in Australia, partnered with CLIMARTE, an organisation that harnesses the creative arts to highlight the effects of climate change. ‘Ice Texts’ points to the impermanence of humankind’s statements in the face of the overwhelming challenges of environmental change; encouraging a conversation on humanity’s impact on the climate.
Buckland works to enable events to be created, performed and then recorded through lens based technology. The recorded information is then transformed and manifested through process to have the physicality and emotional presence of a tactile object.
“The exhibition has been compiled through David Buckland’s seven Arctic expeditions aboard a 100-year-old Norwegian ship with a crew of artists and scientists. Compelling messages about the impacts of climate change were projected onto icebergs and glacier walls which were then photographed,” says Shane Rattenbury, Minister for Territory and Municipal Services.
The exhibition will strengthen the link between Europe and the National Arboretum Canberra. “The Arboretum is home to trees representative of most European nations and together with ANU and other research organisations is actively monitoring the planted forests and the effects of changing climate conditions,” said Rattenbury. The National Arboretum Canberra features 94 forests of rare, endangered and symbolic trees many which are still young, two of the forests are nearly 100 hundred years old.
Addressing the challenges posed by climate change requires action by everyone in our community – be it government, business, community groups, households and individuals; “Although the impact of our individual choices may be small, together we can make a difference for our environment,” said Rattenbury.
“The ACT has the most ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets in the country. These targets support the vision that by 2060 the ACT will be a sustainable and carbon neutral city that is adapting to a changing climate.
“It is therefore fitting that this exhibition is held at the National Arboretum Canberra which is doing great work in environmental conservation and research,” says Rattenbury.
David Buckland is a designer, artist and filmmaker whose lens-based works have been exhibited in numerous galleries in London, Paris and New York and collected by the National Portrait Gallery, London, the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, the Metropolitan Museum, New York and the Getty Collection, Los Angeles, and the Michael Wilson Collection amongst others.
National Arboretum Canberra
Until 8 June, 2015
Australian Capital Territory